Watering wisely

The best time to water your crops is in the evening or very early morning, using a watering can and aiming at the roots not the foliage. Water thoroughly on a weekly basis and soak the soil, rather than a little at a time. Water appropriately to the crop, see examples in table; plants also need different amounts of water at varying stages of growth and too much water can affect yield and taste.

Cucurbits	Squash can survive and produce fruit from minimal watering but courgette plants need to be kept constantly moist.
Fruiting crops	Aubergines, cucumbers, sweet corn and tomatoes need constant water throughout their growing period.
Leafy Vegetables and salad crops	Crops such as cabbages, chard and spinach along with salad crops need water at every stage of growth.
Legumes	Avoid watering peas and broad beans when young but they will need water at f lowering time and about 2 weeks later. Runner beans need constant moisture but French beans can cope with dryer conditions.
Onions etc	Water to establish and then only in dry spells.
Potatoes	Water regularly from 6-10 weeks after planting when they start to produce tubers.
Root crops	Carrots and parsnips will split if watered irregularly, water before dry conditions develop.
Stem Vegetables	Celery, celeriac and Florence Fennel need copious amounts of water to develop and will be damaged by drought conditions.

Guidance courtesy of the National Allotment Society website