Although it may seem that watering your garden should be as simple as turning on a hose or pouring water from a watering can, there are various factors to consider in order to prevent water-related problems in your garden. The type of soil you have will play a large role in determining your watering routine. The amount of rainfall nature provides and the intensity of the summer sun will also affect how frequently you’ll need to water your garden.
As a general guideline, the top three inches of soil in the garden should be dry before you water. This guideline applies to a garden that has established plants in it. Plants need enough water to supply their roots with moisture. You should soak the soil to a depth of approximately five inches. You can use a sprinkler to water your garden, but many gardeners prefer using a soaker hose. A soaker hose allows the moisture to slowly seep into the soil. You don’t waste water as a result of water runoff and the water reaches each plant. When you use a standard type hose or sprinkler to water a garden filled with plants, some of the larger plants may prevent water from reaching smaller plants. If you’re watering seeds, you must keep in mind that the surface soil must be kept moist in order for the seeds to germinate. Seeds need gentle watering so that they do not get pushed too deeply into the soil or washed away by forceful watering.
It’s best to group plants that have similar moisture requirements together in your garden design. Another factor to consider when designing your garden is the lay of the land. If your garden space slopes, the plants that require moist growing conditions should be planted at the base of the slope and the plants who need less moisture should be planted at the upper portion of the garden.
The popularity of container gardening continues to increase. This type of gardening requires that you carefully monitor the moisture level of the soil. Before adding plants to a container, you should be sure the container has good drainage. Using appropriate soil mixtures can help you manage the moisture level of plants in a container. There are lots of gadgets you can use to monitor the moisture in a container, but all you really need to do is put your finger in the dirt and see how wet or dry the soil is. Spray wands or watering cans with a long spout are ideal for watering a container garden.
Regardless of whether you are watering an expansive garden spot or a container garden on your patio, the ideal time to water your garden is early in the morning. If you aren’t able to water in the morning, late afternoon and early evening is also an acceptable time. You should avoid watering your garden at night because doing so can lead to the development of fungal disease and the destruction of your plants.
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