I was on an evening bike ride when I observed a woman in the neighborhood lightly showering the flowers in her yard. It occurred to me that it's never too late to promote proper watering technique.
Yes, there are right and wrong ways to water your flowers. The "showering technique" would be in the wrong category.
First off, morning is always best, which allows the roots to soak up most of the water before the afternoon heat kicks in. If you water on a hot summer afternoon, most of that water is just going to evaporate. Additionally, late evening waterings are no good because the wet, cool soil can lead to mildew and other plant diseases.
Secondly, go for the roots only. Your actual flowers and buds really don't need a drink. And water that accumulates on leaves and stems can also lead to disease. Give it to the roots. That may mean you have to lunge, squat and contort your body in all sorts of ways to get to that container in the back of your garden, but your flowers will thank you for it. And bonus, you get your leg workout for the day. If you do want to take the easy way out, at least opt for a soaker hose and skip the ineffective oscillating sprinkler. If you have tricky areas, invest in a hose wand to give you some extra reach.
Lastly, quality over quantity. You may feel compelled to shower your flowers for a few minutes every day. Stop. Brief sprinklings promote shallow roots, which cause flowers to dry out quicker and can lead to overall poor performance. You're much better off to water just a few times a week, but when you're watering, go for the roots and just hold the hose there for 10, 20, 30 seconds, until the water starts to pool a bit. Then let it drain. Repeat if necessary. Longer, deeper waterings promote healthy root development.
As we get closer to fall, proper watering technique is also crucial as you start to divide/replant, or plant new bulbs and perennials. Same rules apply. Healthy roots now result in fabulous flowers in the spring!
