Monty Don, the celebrated gardening authority and Gardeners' World presenter, has shared vital guidance on preserving soil health during hot and dry spells. Speaking on the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Podcast, the 71-year-old emphasized that watering should focus on the soil rather than the plants themselves. He explained that most plants draw moisture from the soil, not from water poured directly onto them.
Monty Don's Watering Philosophy
Don stated: "It always helps if you get your soil in good health. If you have soil that is full of organic matter, and therefore becomes loam, it will retain moisture and that's really the secret of watering plants. Your plants should not be dependent upon you giving them water. They should be dependent upon accessing water that's in the soil. So...never water plants, water the soil. That may sound like I'm being glib, I really mean that, that's serious."
The only plants he waters are ferns, particularly tree ferns, which like moist air. He added: "The only plants that I ever water are ferns, particularly tree ferns, which like moist air, but it's the soil that needs it because plants get their moisture through the roots and they draw it up through the soil. And what you'll find is that if the water is quite deep, plants will go and find it, whereas if you only water on the surface, the roots have to come to the surface to find it, and therefore they're more exposed to heat and drought."
The Role of Organic Matter
Don also highlighted the importance of quality compost in maintaining moisture. He said: "If you have lots of organic matter, ideally garden compost, quite frankly any organic matter, including roots of old plants that opens the soil out and also retains moisture. So it opens out so the roots can go and get down and find it and then by retaining moisture there is moisture to find, so it's the perfect solution."
Heatwave Warnings from the Met Office
Don's remarks come as the UK has experienced temperatures approaching 30°C, leaving gardens parched. The Met Office has cautioned that such extreme conditions are becoming more common. Climate information scientist Mike Kendon said: "What we used to think of as extreme, we increasingly consider as normal. What is particularly concerning is how temperature extremes are being affected, as these cause the greatest impacts - a pattern we've seen again in 2026 so far. Every year is adding to the body of evidence showing climate change in the UK. We are right now living in a time of historic and unprecedented change and in terms of temperature, on annual, seasonal, monthly and daily timescales, this evidence shows the climate of the 20th Century has now gone."
Optimal Watering Times
Don has previously advised on the best time to water plants. Earlier this year, he said: "In fact, every day when it's as hot as this and, if you can, the best time to water your container is early morning before the sun warms up. If you can't get it done early in the morning, don't do it during the middle of the day wait till the evening. Basically, when it's cool. The plants will then take the moisture and they can lose it during the day without suffering any problems."
Gardeners' World will be broadcast on Saturday, July 18th, at 9.15am on BBC Two.
