The big watering ABC - from A like aubergine to Z like zucchini

One plant only needs a shot glass full of water, another prefers to have an entire watering can exclusively for itself. Some only need fresh water every two days, while others are thirsty in the morning and evening. Our watering ABC will help you keep track of your plants' water needs and select the plants that fit your urban gardening lifestyle. The better you know your plants' water needs and the more optimally you water them, the more they'll bloom and the better the harvest.

Eggplants : The eggplant "Eierfrucht" likes warm, sunny conditions and should be watered once a day. Since it originates from southern regions, it doesn't really cope well with heavy rain—so it's best to bring it into a dry place for a short time during persistent rain.

Basil : Is regular watering not one of your strengths as an urban gardener? Then we recommend basil . This plant loves warm, sunny, wind-protected, and dry conditions. In other words, it won't mind if you forget to water it once in a while. Tip: It's best to pour the water into the saucer—the roots will then gradually absorb the moisture they need, and the leaves will stay dry.

Strawberries : There's hardly a more straightforward plant that provides balcony gardeners with so much fresh greenery and such delicious fruit for years. All strawberries need is a good mix of shade and sun (for the berries to turn red) and moist soil.

Runner beans : This incredibly fast-growing turbo plant with its beautiful flowers needs plenty of water – always make sure that the soil in the pot does not dry out.

Daisies : Always on top – "Daisies" like to drink a lot more than they can chew. If they aren't watered enough, they quickly droop. Fortunately, they don't take minor watering omissions for long and recover quickly.

Cucumber : Those who underwater cucumbers will be bitterly punished. Too little water quickly leads to cucumbers becoming inedible and bitter. Therefore, keep the soil moist at all times, but don't overwater, as waterlogging can cause the cucumbers to rot. Tip: Cucumbers particularly like stale, lukewarm water. So, it's best to fill the watering can in the morning and leave it on the balcony in the sun during the day.

Chamomile : Patient and unassuming—that's chamomile 's image. And this also applies to its watering needs. Moderate watering is perfectly sufficient.

Mint : Peppermint grows and grows and grows... provided you place it somewhere that's not too warm and give it plenty to drink. It's best if the soil is always slightly moist, otherwise the mint will quickly curl its leaves in resentment.

Carrots : Discipline and perseverance are required when watering. Carrots need a lot of water, and they need to be watered regularly. Tubs, boxes, or beds must be watered thoroughly—just a small amount on the surface is a waste of gardening effort. If watered irregularly, carrots tend to burst because they absorb too much water into their cells too quickly.

Peppers : These southern plants need bright, sunny conditions to produce a decent harvest. They should also be kept sufficiently moist, but naturally not overwatered.

Radishes : To ensure you harvest crisp, firm radishes, you should water them regularly in the morning to keep the soil moist. Too little water will cause the radish tubers to become soft and hollow inside.

Arugula : Whether it's a spicy salad or a delicious pesto, you can do just about anything with arugula . It grows extremely quickly, but in addition to plenty of sun and warmth, it also needs a lot of water. Specifically, this means watering once or twice a day in summer.

Sunflower : This annual plant is generally very easy to care for and will easily grow to two to three meters tall, even for those without a particularly green thumb. When watering, however, you need to find the balance between just enough and not too much— sunflowers are unfortunately very sensitive to waterlogging.

Thyme : This fragrant herb is one of the most undemanding balcony plants. To grow well, it needs plenty of sun and very little water—a generous sip every few days is sufficient, even in summer.

Tomatoes : Whether small cocktail tomatoes or large beefsteak tomatoes, tomatoes are always a real glutton. Therefore, for balcony gardeners, water them thoroughly on warm summer days, both morning and evening!

Zucchini : These squash plants (yes, they really are, even though they look almost exactly like cucumbers ) need plenty of sun, plenty of space, and plenty of water. Zucchini like it moist, so on hot days, they are best watered thoroughly twice a day. Please make sure that no water gets on the flowers.

Green thumb rule for watering

Our watering ABC is, of course, not exhaustive—you probably have a lot of plants on your balcony that aren't on this list. However, here's a very simple rule to help you get started:

You can assume that any plant with large, soft leaves requires a lot of water. This includes cucumbers and tomatoes , as well as hydrangeas and angel trumpets. Small, leathery leaves indicate a low water requirement. Rosemary and lavender , among others, fall into this category.

But the better you know your plants' water needs and the more regularly you water them, the more flowers they will produce and the better the harvest will be.

Perseverance is rewarded

Not watering at all for days and then giving the plant a huge load? A small watering can should be enough for the entire balcony? Neither of these are good ideas. Most plants are creatures of habit. They grow best when watered at a regular schedule according to their needs.

For vacation: The DIY irrigation system

Sure, there are now a whole range of irrigation systems available that allow you to virtually automate watering. If you're on the road a lot or going on vacation and your neighbors can't help, boxes with a built-in water reservoir are a really practical solution.

If you want something a little simpler, you can easily build your own irrigation system. You'll need:

• A wick made from a hollow shoelace
• A bucket
• Two wooden strips

Push the wick through the flowerpot's drainage hole as far into the soil as possible (this works best with the help of a stick). Then fill the bucket with water. Position the two wooden slats on the bucket so that the flowerpot sits securely on them. The wick hangs between the slats in the water and from there conducts the required liquid into the soil.

Tip: Whether you buy a system or build one yourself, be sure to test the irrigation system well in advance of your planned absence to make sure it is working!