Depends how much water you are actually using... better to water every other day and give everything a good soaking, make sure you don't water when the sun is on your plants.

Watering depends on the kinds of plants you have. In general, a newly planted garden should be watered frequently. If the soil is already moist, you don't need to water again. Be careful not to drown them. As the plants become established, you can water less frequently. This will encourage plants' roots to go down deep and get their own water - less work for you.

Thank you,Moon growe and Bathgate,I use the hose pipe and give them all a good soaking every other day in the evening,I will make sure I don't drown them,But I do have very dry soil,Thanks again for your time.

Moon grow has given good advice. Water droplets on a leaf in full sun can focus the suns rays on a leaf in such a concentrated way as to leave a burn spot on the leaf. Like using a magnifying glass on kindling to start a fire. If you must water in full sun do it at pot or ground level and not over the plant. Also different plants require different conditions, example, Dianthus likes it dry, Begonia likes it moist etc...

Although I'm not on a water meter, when I have planted some new shrubs or herbaceous I always water well with a can and then go back after ten to fifteen minutes and water well again. It's only when my plants are well-established that I rely on the hosepipe. This way I'm sure that the water is getting down to the roots and beyond.

Thank you Jimmytheone and Loosestrife2,I will try all your tips.I do try and use watering can,but I am getting to old,and this new garden to big,to use all the time.

Here, what I do Callie, I bought a children's wagon at a yard sale, you know, the type you put your kids in to give them a ride. They are big enough to place 4 1.5 gal watering cans including some gardening items. I carry them along in the wagon and that keeps me from going back and forth to refill and if I need to prune, dig out etc what I need is right in the wagon. This keeps me from using that great destroyer of garden plants, the garden hose. Oh, how many pots I tipped over and plants I ripped with that hose.

Watering by rote isn't always best though - clearly you need more if the ground is very dry, but watering little and often encourages the roots to grow near the surface instead of going down deeper. I rarely water my established perennials. They may not be lush but they are tough!

Loosestrife2,what a great idea,I will get one,Steragram I also do not water my established perennials,it just this large border I have planted needs watering,but I also want to establish strong roots,I will give it a go with the watering can.Thank you everyone for all your suggestions you have been a great help.

The best time to water is early in the morning so that the plants are fully hydrated when the hot sun comes up.

As the plants get established, and grow big enough, 5 cm or so of coarse compost makes a good water conserving topdressing. Wood chips or straw can be used the same way, but may reduce the nutrient content of the soil, slightly.

Bathgate I water late evening,did not know morning was best,so I will give it a go thank you.Tugbrethil,I have coarse compost,so I will put that on the garden.With all this help I am going to have good healthy plants,thank you all,this site is fantastic.