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Watering Your Garden

The way you do it can make a difference.

How much is too much water? How little is too little? While water is essential for any garden plant, factors such as soil, moisture, and sunlight can make a significant difference. Clayey soils retain water well but take a long time to absorb it. Sandy soil absorbs water very quickly but can't retain much. Your soil should contain enough organic material to retain moisture and still allow air to reach the plant roots. Always try to water in the morning, allowing plant leaves to dry throughout the day and reducing diseases.

DIFFERENT NEEDS FOR DIFFERENT PLANTS

What you grow will also determine how much water you need. Root depth varies greatly. Tomato roots can reach 2 feet deep after a good season, while lettuce roots may be only 1 foot deep. Other plants have even shorter roots. Always try to note how deep the roots of your different plants are. Plants with deeper roots are often better at finding water in the soil.

WATCH THE WEATHER

You also need to consider the rate of evaporation. Hot, dry, and windy days will deplete soil moisture much faster than calm, humid days.

WATERING TECHNIQUES: MANUAL WATERING

Whether with a hose or watering can, manual watering is the simplest and possibly the most common method for watering gardens. The only downside is that people tend to get impatient and often water less than their plants need. If you're watering by hand, make sure to check the absorption rate. If your soil is heavy in clay, don't be deceived by runoff. You might think the soil is saturated when, in reality, it can't absorb water quickly enough. Water your plant until water pools on the surface, then return after about an hour and water again.

WATERING TECHNIQUES: SPRINKLERS

Whether they are connected to a hose or built-in, sprinklers are excellent for densely planted vegetables. If you need water to be evenly distributed over a large area, this is the technique for you. However, keep in mind that sprinklers spray a lot of water on foliage, which can lead to plant diseases. Additionally, weather factors like wind and sun can reduce the efficiency of watering. Do not use sprinklers in sparsely planted gardens, as this will waste water.

WATERING TECHNIQUES: DRIP IRRIGATION

This technique allows for a slow but steady release of moisture into the soil around the plants. You can use a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system and leave the water on for several hours, ensuring a good soak. Use this method around thirsty plants and on sloping gardens to counter the effects of runoff.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Even if the soil surface appears wet or dry, you can't always tell what's happening at the root level. To see if you've watered enough, take a long screwdriver and push it into your garden soil. If it goes in easily, you've probably watered enough. You can also buy a moisture meter at your local garden center to measure how dry your soil is. When watering, it's always better to opt for deep, periodic soakings (the frequency varies depending on the weather and how well the soil retains moisture) instead of light, frequent sprinklings.