Watering the garden
It is June and here in the piedmont region of NC that typically means temps 85-95 and plentiful rain, beautiful gardens and carefree weekends. So far for the month I think we have had about 3 inches and higher than average temperatures. I have yet to install drip irrigation. Honestly it is low on the priority list because typically I seldom have the need to water….I’m re thinking that priority list as I not so patiently move from section to section in the garden to keep my summer vegetables and flowers happy. Heaven forbid I have an unhappy tomato plant or a wilted cucumber!
Established plants in raised beds or ground plantings
Almost all plants, shrubs and trees require about 1 inch of rain/water per week. You want your plants to establish deep roots so they can seek out water during hot or drought conditions. Try watering your raised beds or ground plants deeply about every 5 days. With the exception of some tropical, marsh and bog plants most plants prefer to not have constantly saturated roots. That will stress plants, cause root rot and create a perfect environment for soil bone disease.
I am asked all the time, “How do I know if I have given my plants enough water?” The easiest way to check is when you think you have finished watering dig into the soil about 2-3 inches, if the soil is uniformly damp then there is enough water present to support healthy plants for the next 5-7 days. Obviously, to check for water requirements if you dig down 2-3 inches and the soil is dry it is time to water.
Daily watering is ineffective, detrimental to establishing healthy plantings and a waste of time, water and money. So set aside a day to water deep and long. Watering in the morning is best. It gives plants a nice big drink to face the challenges of a hot or windy day. It also allows any moisture that collects on the leaves to dry out quickly which will help prevent many leaf diseases – especially on tomato and pepper plants!
Container watering
I love my big, blue, ceramic pots! I am addicted to the high impact only containers can provide. They also give you extra growing space for those add on plants that enter your life unexpectedly after you have already mapped out your garden. On the down side they will require watering every 1 – 2 days and more frequent application of fertilizer. Just remember, containers require 1/2 strength fertilizer twice as often because of wash out. When watering your containers be certain to water until it runs through at the bottom, this helps prevent the build up of mineral salts that can be detrimental to healthy plants.
Seeds, seedlings and new transplants
Seeds need to stay evenly moist for germination so there is no avoiding daily watering. Obviously they don’t have deep roots so 1 inch depth for your soil moisture is adequate. If you are direct seeding in the garden you may need to water twice daily if it is a particularly hot, sunny or windy day.
Seedings are those little baby plants that have delicate, tiny root systems. You want to encourage deep root production so water deeply every other day and if any wilting is noted during hot times of the day. Typically after 2 weeks they are fine with routine watering of 1 inch every 5-7 days. Transplants may have larger, more extensive root systems but in a new environment they will need watering deeply 2-3 times a week for the first 2 weeks. After they have had time to get acquainted with their new home they should be fine with 1 inch of water every 5-7-days.
Shrubs and trees
Most newly planted shrubs and trees will require a nice, deep watering 1-2 times weekly until established – typically for the first year. After the first year most trees and shrubs, if appropriate for your growing region and planted in adequate light conditions, will tolerate a few weeks without watering. The key to success is to ensure deep root growth in the first year. As an aside, fruit trees, when in the early production phase, will benefit from extra water if the skies don’t oblige. Once the fruit starts to ripen avoid overwatering. You want the fruit to lose a bit of moisture so as they ripen they will concentrate their sugars – Yummy!
I am off to water the next section of my garden – Happy Gardening y ‘all!