Watering
An average garden needs about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of rainfall each week. Some plants require more moisture, while others prefer less. How often your garden will need watering will be influenced by the following factors:
- Type of plants (each type grows at a different rate)
- Soil absorption rate and ability to retain
- Exposure to sun and wind
- Depth and type of mulch
- Amount of recent rainfall
- Amount of organic matter in the soil
Each of these factors will affect how quickly your garden dries and how often you will have to replenish it. Some sprinklers have a volume gauge built-in that you can set for the amount of water you want to fall on your garden.
If you don't have one, try making a rain gauge. It will measure how much water the garden receives when you water it or it rains.
- Use any clean, straight-sided container like a soup can or a glass jar.
- Use a permanent marker and a ruler to measure and mark every ¼ inch (0.6 cm) on the outside of the can, starting at the bottom.
- Find an unsheltered spot in the garden that receives an average amount of rainfall and sprinkler water. Make sure nothing hangs over the mouth of the jar.
- Push the can a little way into the soil so that it won't fall over.
- After each rain or watering, measure the amount of water in the can and record it in your Garden Journal.
- Always give your garden a thorough watering rather than just a light sprinkle. This will encourage the roots to grow deeper and keep them strong.
- Water your garden between 8 and 11 a.m. for best results. This does several things:
- Your plants will dry off properly, and the leaves won't get moldy or start to rot.
- The roots will store the moisture so they can spend the rest of the day growing and resting.
- Water acts like a magnifying glass on the leaves during the heat of the day, and it can cause them to burn.
- Put up a windbreak or fence around your garden to reduce the amount of evaporation from the leaves that wind causes. Make sure it isn't so high that it casts shade over your plants.
- Good mulching will also decrease the amount of water you need to give your garden.
If your garden still dries out too quickly, try one of the following methods:
Bleach Bottle Drip SystemEasy Drip Watering System
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