In hot, dry weather, seedlings fail quickly because their small root systems cannot access deep reserves of moisture. Pre-water compost, keep germinating seeds consistently moist, check pots at least daily, water early in the morning and prioritise young plants over established borders. Wool Pots can be bottom-watered after the first top watering.
August 2026 has made water one of the biggest gardening questions in the UK. Drought conditions and local restrictions mean “water more” is not a useful answer. The aim is to put water exactly where young roots can use it, reduce avoidable evaporation and stop seed compost swinging from saturated to bone dry.
1. Start with evenly moist compost
Dry seed compost can be surprisingly difficult to re-wet evenly. Before sowing, moisten the compost so it feels damp throughout but is not dripping. For outdoor seed drills, water the drill before sowing. Once seeds are in, keep the surface consistently moist while they germinate.
2. Check the compost, not the calendar
“Water every day” is too crude. A small seedling in a breezy greenhouse can dry faster than a larger pot in shade. Check by touch and by the weight of the pot. The RHS advises checking container compost through the growing season and watering when it is dry below the surface. Seedlings need more consistency because their roots occupy such a small volume of compost.
3. Water early, and water the root zone
Early morning is usually the most efficient time because less water is lost to evaporation and the plant can use moisture through the day. Aim water at compost and roots rather than routinely wetting foliage. If you have to water in the evening, try to keep leaves dry overnight where possible.
4. Use bottom watering with Wool Pots
Wool Pots recommend an initial watering from the top, followed by watering from below in a tray or dish. The wool wicks moisture upward. Do not leave pots permanently standing in deep water; add enough for the compost and pot to take up moisture, then reassess. Keep a gap between Wool Pots so air can circulate and roots do not simply bridge from one pot to the next.
5. Reduce heat stress around the pots
Move seed trays out of fierce midday sun during extreme heat, while still giving
seedlings enough light.
Group pots where sensible so they are less exposed to hot, drying air.
Give priority to seedlings, newly planted crops and productive vegetables rather
than trying to keep every established ornamental plant lush.
If a hosepipe ban applies, check the exact rules from your own water supplier.
Watering cans and permitted collected water may still be available even where hose use is restricted.
6. Do not “compensate” by drowning them
Heat makes gardeners understandably anxious, but constantly saturated compost creates a different set of problems. The goal is steady moisture with air still present in the compost. If the surface is green, sour-smelling or persistently wet, increase airflow and reassess how much water the tray is receiving.
