Here are some watering tips. Actually not just tips – watering properly can make or break a successful garden.
Did you notice the title of the post? Water the soil over the plant roots. The plant’s roots are not just right under the stem, they spread out and downward looking for water and nutrients. Water all around the plant.
Water the soil around the plant then go back over the same area and water again. I always picture the first water soaking in and sticking to the soil particles, and the second time provides the water that the root hairs can take up. Visualize how deep the water would seep down if the soil surface is dry.
Use your finger or a tool to scratch away the soil surface after watering what you think is enough. If it’s only penetrated an inch, water more and teach yourself how long to water in one spot. I try to spray in one area for 20-30 seconds before moving on to the next area, especially for larger plants like tomatoes or cabbage. Then reverse direction and work back to the beginning.
Watering with a hose can be much more effective than a sprinkler because you can direct the flow where you want it to land. A sprinkler usually does not put enough volume down in the root zones. And lots of water is wasted because you’re watering the driveway or the water droplets are evaporate before soaking in.
Diseases can be attracted to wet leaves, especially tomatoes. Water the soil, not the leaves, especially if plants are mature and touching each other.
Mulch
Covering the soil with shredded leaves or straw prevents the soil from drying out due to evaporation. And it dramatically moderates soil temperature in the heat of the summer. Wood chip paths are great for retaining moisture and adding fungal life in the adjacent beds. Mulching reduces the amount of watering you have to do.
Timing your watering
If you can water in the morning before the sun is high in the sky, that’s best. If you have to water in the evening, do your best to not wet the leaves. Wet leaves at night are a good habitat for various pathogens to land and take hold. Squash and cukes, tomatoes, eggplant, flowers, peppers, basils are susceptible to diseases that spread that way.
