Nothing feels better than when you look out from the window, and you see your plants thriving! When they’re looking so green and crisp, you just want to go and eat them up!
That is why it’s important to remember that all living things on this Earth need water. Most plants really need about 1 to 2 inches of water a week. This also depends on where you live. They may require a little more. So having a water supply, and a hose hookup close to your garden is very important.
When you look out the window or when you walk through your garden, and you see the leaves on your plants are droopy and curly, you may wonder what’s going on! Are they diseased? Then you realize, it’s the lack of water! They need more water. It’s the lack of water that’s depriving your beautiful plants of a healthy life.
So, you can avoid such heart break, by making sure you provide your plants with a good supply of water.
When and How to Water
When Should I Water My Plants?
Water your plants early in the morning. By watering in the morning, you give your plants ample time for their leaves to dry during the day. This is important, because wet foliage allows disease organisms to spread among plants. So, you can help avoid this by giving them a thorough watering early. Watering early in the day, will also cut down from the evaporation of the water into the hot atmosphere.
How to Water
If your garden is big enough to have different sections, make sure you soak the soil in the part you scheduled to water thoroughly.
In this way you don’t have to come back the next day to water that section. You can work on a different part of your garden. This way it won’t take as big a chunk of your time as it would if you watered every part – all at once.
When you’re in the watering process, make sure that you water your plants as gently as you can. This is so you won’t wash away your seeds.
That’s where planning comes into play as well. You need to know where to plant and which plants to group together. This is important for the watering process. Some plants need more water than orders. So, put the ones with the same needs together.
For example, plants like asparagus and celery need more water than others. They are heavy drinkers. On the other hand, plants like herbs, oregano, thyme, beets and peppers, don’t need a lot of water. Too much water will affect their taste. An example of this is Peppers. Peppers become even hotter if you limit the water. So if you want hot, hot peppers– plant them in their own bed so you can have control of how they are watered.
Watering By Hand
By watering by hand, whether it is with a watering can or with a Hose, you should make sure you’re only watering the garden. When necessary, by inserting your fingers, a few inches into the ground, you can feel if the soil is dry to the touch a few inches below the surface. Then soak the soil thoroughly. A deep watering that fully saturates the garden area, is better than a short spray. Try not to get the water on the leaves. Concentrate on where the water is needed the most,- the root system.
A Few More Tips on Watering
Water slowly so the water goes down to the roots.
Water in the morning so the plant will benefit during the hot sunny day. And it will dry before night fall. This helps to prevent disease.
Good soil full of organic matter will help hold the moisture in the soil.
A good layer of mulch will also help in conserving and retaining the moisture.
Remember don’t get carried away when watering! Too much water could cause as much damage as too little. Too much water can wash away the nutrients in the soil and also cause the roots to rot.
So, enjoy your plants, water regularly and above all–