A thorough soaking at regular intervals helps plants develop a much deeper root system, making them stronger and healthier. Frequent light watering only encourages surface roots, which results in weak plants.

Follow these simple Suggestions to water your garden more effectively

• Group plants with similar water needs together - high water users in one area. low water users in another.
• Don't waste water by indiscriminate spraying but deliver it directly to the roots of plants.
• Adjust your program to the season - in hot weather water early in the morning or at night: in cold weather water between sunrise and noon. Tropical plants like to be watered in the late evening or at night, plants from temperate and cooler zones take up water most efficiently in daylight hours.
• Watering the foliage of some plants, such as azaleas and roses. encourages fungal diseases. Water only around the roots. Tropical foliage plants and ferns, however enjoy a good sprinkling particularly in very hot dry weather.
• Newly planted seedlings. container plants, plants with shallow roots and/ or particularly high water needs may need watering twice a day in very hot weather. Be alert for any sign of wilting.
• Add plenty of compost to your soil; this helps retain moisture. One of the best things you can do for your garden is to put in an irrigation system.
• An irrigation system makes watering the garden a lot easier and, if properly designed and installed, will deliver water more efficiently to plants. This could range from a simple kit available from your garden centre or discount retailer, to a computer-controlled system with pop up sprinklers costing many thousands of dollars. The type of system you choose will depend on the size of garden and, of course, your budget. But before you get too dependent on your irrigation system... take into account that even the most marvellous technology can go wrong, often due to human error or outside factors such as power failures. Check and maintain the system regularly, ensure drippers or sprinklers are not blocked and - when you go away and leave it on an automatic timer - make sure somebody checks it from time to time in case something goes wrong. You could return from your trip to find your garden flooded, plants drowned and a huge excess water bill!