Page 24 - North Haven Magazine Spring 2021 Issue 18

WATER
Wise WATER
Wise

Ways Toays To
W

by Sally Brockett

pring is the beginning of growing season, and with that, comes the question of what is the best way to water your gardens? We all
Swant to have the best growing season ever, but one important part of success depends on water. We all hope for sufficient rainwater,
but we know there can be dry periods that might disrupt our plans for a great season of beautiful gardens, whether they are vegetables
or flowers.
How Much To Water? help reduce evaporation and minimize
How much to water depends on the types weeds.
of plants and how recently it has rained.
Most established plants, both vegetables When To Water?
and flowers, do well with an inch of water When to water is an important question
each week. It is important to note if a par- because it can make a difference in health
ticular plant prefers to be drier because too of the plants, and efficient use of the water.
much water could cause it to rot or become Most professionals recommend watering
diseased. Many gardeners tend to provide in the early morning before it is very hot.
too much water rather than not enough. It This allows the plants to absorb more water
is helpful to have a rain gauge in your yard and hydrates them for the heat later in the
so you can determine just how much rain day. It also allows the leaves to be dry as the Use water wand to water base of the plant.
has fallen. This amount needs to be figured plants enter the dark, coolness of evening late fall, blow out the water with an air com-
into your calculations for 1 inch of water when fungi and insects might be encour- pressor so the hoses are empty and will not
per week. You can also check the moisture aged by moist leaves. freeze during the winter.
of the soil by sticking your finger into the
soil to the second knuckle. Is it moist, with More permanent irrigation systems can be
some soil sticking to your finger? If not, it set up in perennial beds. Tubes to transport
may be time to water. the water throughout the area can be laid
If you have just planted seeds in the garden, out, with smaller tubes attached to carry the
water to drippers at the base of the shrubs.
you will need to keep the soil over them
moist, but not wet, until they sprout and Timers
are growing. Deep watering to encourage Use timers on your faucets so you can set
young seedlings to grow deep roots is better the amount of time you want to run the wa-
than lightly watering the plants. ter. This can save a lot of water and avoid
Water seeps from soaker hose. over-watering if you forget to turn off the
Consider the type of soil in the garden be- faucet at the right time. If you have a well, it
cause sandy soil may need water twice a can prevent running the well dry!
week, whereas loam may be fine with wa- Water Systems
tering once a week. Be careful if your soil A variety of water systems are available, Container Gardens
has a lot of clay as this will hold the water so you need to determine the best one for Container gardens should be planted in
more easily. your garden environments. It may be eas- containers with holes for drainage in the
iest to water a large vegetable garden with bottoms. It is ideal to water from the bot-
a sprinkler hose. If you set the sprinkler on tom up if possible. This assures that the
a “stool” to raise it above the height of the roots grow deep, and that they get sufficient
plants, you can get more even coverage for water. If you cannot water from the bottom,
all the plants. A watering wand will be bet- be sure to use sufficient water so it drains
ter for smaller gardens because you can be out the bottom holes. If no water drains
sure the water is going right to the base of out, you may not have provided enough to
the plants. water the roots at the bottom of the pot.

A soaker or weep hose is made from a po- Container plants will need water more
rous material that allows the water to seep frequently. Test the moisture of the soil by
out rather than spraying out. Evaporation sticking your finger into the soil to the sec-
A well watered plant is not limp. is reduced because no water is sprayed into ond knuckle. If it is dry, you need to water.
the air. It also keeps the water on the soil Cactus and other succulents do prefer to
at the base of the plants and avoids wetting
Be Efficient!
Be Efficient! the leaves. We use this type of system for be drier than most plants, so water less fre-
Use a rain gauge in the garden or a our blueberry bushes because a sprinkler quently, let it become dry again before you
water. Use sandy soil or cactus mixture so
straight-sided container to catch the water can knock berries off the bushes. When us- the water drains through easily.
if you use a sprinkler for watering. Mulch ing a soaker hose around foundation plant-
around the plants with straw mulch, pine ings or in a perennial garden, you can cover
needles, or weed barrier materials that will the hose with mulch to it is not visible. In

24 North Haven Magazine - Spring Issue 2021