Garden Watering Techniques

Plants need water. Although nature provides but we can not totally rely on rain alone. There are many ways to water plants; one is by hand (using one of several different sprinkler attachments, with soaker hoses), or by using an automatic sprinkler system. But whether we use manual or an automatic watering system, it is important to deliver water where it’s needed - directly to a plant’s root zone.

For neophyte gardeners, how much water is enough? Different plants vary in their moisture requirements, and even the same plant will differ in its needs depending on the soil in which it’s planted, the weather, and the season. But to the extent that generalizations can be made, an inch of water per week during the growing season is a good benchmark. Younger plants need shallower and more frequent watering, while older plants benefit from fewer, deeper watering (they encourage roots to search deeply for water), but the overall quantity should be about the same.

Although water requirements are dependent on specifics such as plant type, soil type, growing conditions, weather and exposure, there are some general tips for watering that are effective in most gardens:

1. Increase the soil’s ability to retain moisture by improving your garden soil with organic matter such as compost, manure or leaf-mould.
2. Improve water penetration and increase the soil’s moisture-retaining ability during dry periods by digging down deeply into the soil before planting.
3. Water the area of soil around the roots. Best way to do this is by using a water can instead of hose or sprinkler.
4. Water only until the soil feels moist. It is best also to water the plants early in the morning than during midday because water will evaporate.
5. It is advisable not to water the plants during windy days in order to reduce evaporation.
6. By watering the plants less frequently, but deeply and thoroughly, plants are likely to develop healthy root systems.
7. To save on water, collect rainwater in a water barrel for use in your garden by positioning one water barrel under one of the drainpipes in your home.