I have been wanting to write about watering for some time but haven't been able to find the words to express how important it is, how difficult it is, how frustrating it is, how time consuming it is and how deeply, deeply fundamental it is to successful horticulture.
I will always say to a novice gardener that watering is the trickiest aspect of horticulture to master.
If you do not have the time to water your garden - be it all planted out in the soil or containerised- then you must invest in a decent irrigation system. If you haven't the funds or the inclination to do this then purchase a Beth Chatto book - plan your dry garden and good luck to you.
If you think that I am sounding a little bit cross then you are correct.
Watering (or lack of it) is the single most frustrating aspect of my horticultural life - it even beats slugs, snails and mealybugs (grrrrr....another story entirely) to sit at the top of my list.
I ought not to go into too much detail but what, I ask you, is the point of employing an experienced gardener to lovingly produce and nurture young plants only for these plants to be ignored at the weekend or (and this is almost as dangerous) to be left in the dubious care of a well meaning but horticulturally challenged maintenance man who knows very little about these helpless youngsters?
This problem could be lessened by the introduction of an effective overhead irrigation system or even some relatively inexpensive capillary matting, on which the pots and seed trays filled with young plants sit - able to draw upon the moisture that the matting retains for far longer periods of time than ordinary glasshouse staging.
I have fought for the introduction of these systems but to no avail so I must keep on putting my heart into the precarious lives of my delicate charges one week and hope and pray that they are still around the next week for me to continue to coax them into becoming sturdy and productive plants.......only the strongest will survive!
Chilli 'Amberley' is a great example of a survivor of such inconsistent conditions. Germination rates are extraordinary and the chances are that, given the right amount of care (and competent watering) these seedlings will all reach maturity and go on to produce the most delicious fruits with a mild, tangy flavour, no real heat - just a small, sweet reminder that it is a chilli and not just an ordinary pepper.
All I can do is try my best and leave the rest to the whims of others.
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