Basic Gardening - Watering Correctly

December 13th, 2007 by Ezio

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Many factors affect how often you must water your plants. Some of these factors are heat, humidity, wind, season, soil, and type of plant. The following guidelines pertain to plants recently transplanted into the garden. Remember, when transplanting, always be sure the plants were recently watered and are well hydrated before you put them in the ground. Water should be applied around the base of the plant and outwards a distance that is at least one and a half times the distance of the farthest reaching branch.

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Water enough so that the soil will become wet throughout the entire root area. This will require a slow, soaking irrigation. Water should be applied only as quickly as it can be absorbed by the soil. Keep in mind your deepest roots will be located below the trunk and limbs of the plant. This area will require more water than the shallower roots located near the end of your farthest watering area. Root depths are commonly 6-12 inches for annuals, vegetables, and lawns: 12 - 24 inches for perennials and shrubs; and 28 - 36 inches or more for trees.

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Newly planted plants need to be watered more frequently than established ones. It is hard to “schedule” watering frequency. It is a good idea to check newly transplanted plants every day or at least every other day. If the plants show any sign of wilting, or if the soil begins to dry out (scratch down below the surface to check it), it is time to water. As the plant becomes established, you will not need to water it as frequently, but continue to monitor your plant and soil conditions for the first growing season.

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Once a plant has become established most recommendations suggest it will need at least 1 inch of rain (or watering equivalent) every week during your growing season. Fast growing plants will require more water than slower growing plants.

Keep in mind soil type will greatly affect how often you will need to water your plants. Sandy soils do not hold much water, so when you irrigate or when it rains, most of the water percolates rapidly down and out of the root zone. Plants grown in sandy soils will need to be watered more frequently. On the other hand clay based soils hold more moisture which remains available to the plant for longer periods of time. Plants growing in clay soils require less watering.

Hot, dry, or windy weather increase the need for extra irrigation. Newly transplanted plants are most vulnerable and will need more frequent waterings, but these conditions are tough on all plants. Pay attention to your entire garden and water as necessary. It is best to water during the early morning or late evening, but if a plant needs water, water it regardless of the time of day.

Tip! Weed control is essential in successful vegetable gardening as weeds can rob cultivated plants of water, nutrients and light. It is important that the soil is hoed or cultivated after each rain or irrigation to kill the weeds that have sprouted.

As cooler shorter days approach in the fall you can start backing off you watering schedule. However, windy conditions, even in the winter time, rapidly deplete moisture in plants. Giving your plants an occasional “a drink” even when they are dormant, helps insure gardening success.

Signs of “Over Watering”: Too much water drowns the roots and deprives the plant of the food and moisture that the roots are supposed to supply. The first signs of too much water show up in the roots. They become brown and mushy. This is hard to see in the garden, but easy to check with plants grown in containers. In the garden, symptoms of over watering are yellow leaves (generally all over the plant) which will soon drop off. Once this occurs, it is often too late to save the plant.

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Signs of “Under Watering”: Too little water deprives the plant of the moisture needed to grow and live. First signs are a slightly washed out color in the leaves, followed by wilting, starting with the youngest and tenderest foliage. If wilting is severe enough, damaged leaves with brown crisp edges may remain even after watering. Very severe wilting in not reversible and plants will die.

If you are in doubt about how much to water use the scratch method to help judge the situation. Using a hand trowel or other implement, scratch below the surface of the soil and check the soil in the root zone for moisture. Moist soil tends to hold together when squeezed, dry soil typically will fall apart. If you judge the soil is too wet - stop watering for a while and let the plant dry out. If you judge the soil is too dry, obviously water it as outlined above.

Tip! Choose a spot that has excellent drainage. Bamboo gardening involves letting the dirt dry out between watering.

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