Japanese maples will grow bigger leaves after winter if 1 easy task is done in the morning

Japanese maples should look breathtaking now with their vibrant autumn foliage, and gardeners can take pride in seeing all their hard work in the garden rewarded. However, this beautiful tree still requires a lot of attention to prepare it for winter if it is to stay healthy throughout the colder months.

Most people can be careless with watering plants in October since it tends to be a really rainy month, but it is incredibly important to check Japanese maples regularly. It tends to be really windy in autumn, which can dry out trees and stop them from getting enough water before they go dormant. If Japanese maples are dehydrated over winter, it can cause their roots to shrivel up, which can greatly weaken the tree and prevent it from growing leaves next year.

Luckily, the gardening experts at Plant Addicts have shared that it is really easy to ensure Japanese maples are getting enough water, as long as you check their soil in the morning.

Why water Japanese maples in the morning?

One expert said: "The best time of the day to water Japanese maples is during the morning, which allows plenty of time for the roots to soak up the water.

"If watering during the evening, try not to get the leaves wet, as the slower evaporation time at evening and night can facilitate the spread of diseases."

It is really common for fungal spores to be active in autumn due to the damp weather, and they are more likely to infect a plant that stays wet for too long.

Watering Japanese maples in the morning helps prevent disease and stops their roots from sitting in water overnight, which can lead to rot and decay.

How to check if a Japanese maple needs watering

It is not a good idea to water Japanese maples on a schedule as soggy soil can encourage pests, mould and disease at this time of year.

Instead, simply stick a finger in the soil around the base, and if there is no moisture at that depth, then the tree really needs to be watered.

The expert said: "To be sure, check to see if the soil is dry or cracked. If the soil feels dry, it is a good time to water."

Autumn brings plenty of rain, so watering once a week is often fine, but in October, it is important to check the soil every two days to ensure the tree remains well-hydrated before the ground freezes.

If you take the time to pay attention to a Japanese maple now, it should stay strong throughout the colder season, so you will be able to enjoy its beautiful leaves again this time next year.