Watering is an essential part of gardening. We do it all the time, and while it might seem straightforward, you may not have stopped to think if you’re doing it the right way. Like other gardening tasks, there are better and worse ways to water. It’s not just a question of knowing when or how much to water, but how you water makes a big difference! The following tips can save you time, hassle, and expense and result in healthier plants!
To save water from evaporating in the heat, it’s always best to water in the evening or morning. Of these two options, the morning is better as the rising sun will dry out any water splashed on the leaves. When you water in the evening, some water stays on the leaves overnight, which boosts the chances of a fungal or pest infestation.
If possible, avoid getting water on the leaves and instead aim for the soil. If you’re constantly watering the leaves, you’re setting up the conditions for a fungal infection, which may later cause you a headache and damage your plants. The roots need water, so water around the base of the plant; this method is ideal for both indoor and outdoor plants.
Take the guesswork out of your water routines by researching your plants’ needs. Drought-tolerant plants need less water than moisture-loving species. Once you know how much they require, you can avoid underwatering and overwatering and build watering into your weekly routine.
A watering routine helps keep you on track, but you should still allow flexibility to adapt to the weather. If it rains, you can likely skip watering for the week. Likewise, a drought may force you to increase the weekly dose. When in doubt, probe the soil to see how much moisture is below the surface and adjust accordingly.
Less frequent, deeper watering is better than more frequent, shallow watering. Constantly giving your plants a small splash of water encourages shallow rooting, which leaves them vulnerable to drought. On the other hand, deep watering lets water penetrate further into the soil, where it stays longer and encourages deeper root growth.
Water falls freely from the sky, and our roofs are already perfect systems to capture it. Instead of letting it drain away, we can add a rain barrel beneath our downspouts to conserve the water and later use it to irrigate the garden. It’s an easy project that you can set up yourself.
Mulching your gardens, whether you use bark mulch around your perennials or grass clippings and straw on the vegetables, helps reduce evaporation and conserve water. Mulch also adds organic matter to the garden over time, which builds a healthy soil structure to receive water and retain it for longer periods.
Setting your sprinkler to a timer can free your mind from watering. Plus, you can set it for the optimal time of day, in the early morning, when you might be sleeping or busy with other things.
Drip irrigation systems conserve water and do an excellent job targeting the plants’ roots rather than leaves. They consist of a soaker hose that you roll out through your garden and a timer. The hose seeps out water for a set amount of time that drips directly into the soil, eliminating a lot of unnecessary evaporation. Drip irrigation, rather than a standard sprinkler, can save up to 20% of water use.
Knowing how to water is just as important as knowing when to water. It may seem simple, but proper watering can save us time and money and promote healthier plants. For more watering tips or supplies, visit our garden centers in Alexandria, Belle Haven, and Lothian!
At Greenstreet Gardens, we take pride in the fact that our number one goal is to make our customers successful.
Equipped with a diverse wealth of information and a knowledgeable staff, we are confident that we are able to provide all of the right tools and plant material necessary to help make your gardening ideas become reality.
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