{"id":880,"date":"2018-06-06T20:19:32","date_gmt":"2018-06-06T20:19:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/?p=880"},"modified":"2018-06-11T21:29:27","modified_gmt":"2018-06-11T21:29:27","slug":"how-to-water-your-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gardendad.co.uk\/how-to-water-your-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Water Your Garden Effectively"},"content":{"rendered":"

Water is a precious and finite resource, so it behooves us all to use it carefully. Doing so saves money and benefits ourselves and the world around us. But what if you want to keep a lush and beautiful garden? Plants need water, is it possible to skimp on water and still have strong, healthy plants? The short answer to that question is “YES!”<\/p>\n

In this article, we provide sound advice to help you understand your plants’ water needs. We also present good information on smart watering techniques to help you make the most of available water. Read on to learn more on how to water your garden.<\/p>\n

Timing is everything<\/h2>\n

If you water your plants during the heat of the day, you lose a lot of precious water to evaporation. For this reason, it’s usually best to water your plants first thing in the morning. Doing so helps you avoid evaporation and also prevents having water sit on your plants’ leaves where it may cause mold problems.<\/p>\n

There are times when summer days and nights are punishingly hot and dry, making it better to water at dusk so that your plants can really make the most of the water overnight.<\/p>\n

Does your garden need water now?<\/h2>\n

\"Water<\/p>\n

For most garden plants a deep, occasional watering is much better than frequent, light watering. As a general rule of thumb, a deep, slow drip watering once a week or so will suffice.<\/p>\n

Check your plants, though, to determine if they are in need of water. Feel the surface of the soil with your hand. If it is at all damp, your plants don’t need water. If it is dry, sink a spade into it to the hilt to see if there is water below the soil. If the soil is moist, you can wait a few days to water if you have good, balanced soil.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best soil?<\/h2>\n

\"what<\/p>\n

For all purposes, including best use of water, light, well-draining soil is the best medium for most plants. Plant roots need both water and air, so your soil should be light enough to allow good air circulation and spongy enough to soak up just the right amount of moisture and keep it available to your plants.<\/p>\n

If your soil has a lot of clay in it, it may feel damp but not really have any water available for your plants. If your soil has a lot of sand in it, it may feel dry, but there may be water available below the sandy surface.<\/p>\n

This is why it\u2019s important to closely observe the condition of your plants. If they are not thriving and growing in a robust manner, you may not be providing enough water. If they are wilted, your problem may be lack of water.<\/p>\n

How much water is necessary?<\/h2>\n

\"waterlilies<\/p>\n

If you have very light, sandy soil, you need to water more often than if your soil has quite a bit of clay. With sandy soils, you should water thoroughly, but you may not want to water deeply as a lot of the water may flow away and be lost.<\/p>\n

About twelve gallons of water per square foot should be about right. If you have heavy soil with a lot of clay, you can water less frequently; however, you must use more water to thoroughly saturate the soil. About seventeen gallons per square foot should be about right.<\/p>\n

Do veggie gardens need more water?<\/h2>\n

\"Harvest<\/p>\n

If you want tasty produce, you must keep your veggie garden well-watered. This is especially true if you are trying to grow leafy greens, watermelon or other plants whose fruit is more water than fiber.<\/p>\n

Some root crops, such as onions, do not require a lot of water, but even they can end up dry, hard and bitter if you skimp on the water. You must hit a balance with root crops so that you provide enough water to nourish them but not so much that they rot in the ground.<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, with fruits and veggies you should water well when planting or transplanting and keep them watered regularly until harvest time. An extra-heavy watering a couple of weeks before harvest can be beneficial in terms of produce quality.<\/p>\n

10 Smart Watering Tips for Your Vegetable Garden<\/h3>\n