Daily gardening tip · Northern hemisphere · Wednesday 16 September 2026 · early autumn
Water Established Shrubs Less Often
As autumn begins and the weather cools, your established garden shrubs need less frequent watering.
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Check the soil moisture around your established shrubs by digging down a few inches with your fingers.
Only water the shrub if the top two to three inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Increase the number of days between your watering sessions to let the soil dry out slightly.
Apply water deeply at the base of the plant when you do water, rather than giving frequent shallow sprinkles.
Why it works
In early autumn, cooler temperatures and shorter days signal to established shrubs that it is time to slow their growth. Because they are no longer actively growing or enduring summer heat, they draw up less water, and overwatering now can lead to soggy soil and root rot.
A pendulous, hemiparasitic shrub characterized by glaucous, sickle-shaped leaves and vibrant orange-red flower triads. It typically grows on Eucalyptus and Acacia species, attaching via a haustorium to extract water and nutrients.
Tropical trees adjust leaf water use between dry and wet seasons
Scientists measured how tree leaves take in carbon and lose water in tropical forests in Thailand. They found that leaf water efficiency changes greatly between seasons and depends on the age of the forest. This research shows that plants adapt their water use constantly as environmental conditions shift.
German naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer was born on this day in 1651
German physician and naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer was born on September 16, 1651. He traveled across Asia and was the first European to write detailed descriptions of native Japanese plants. His work introduced iconic plants like the ginkgo tree to Western botanists.
