How to Water a Garden
Watering presents a unique problem when you decide to grow a garden, whether for food or flowers. There are a couple of ways to get water to your plants, but drip irrigation is preferred over spraying due to viruses and fungi. These can wipe out your potential harvest in short order. To conserve water, consider using rain barrels.
- Consider the landscape. If your garden is in a flat area, remember that it will drain slower than a garden on a slope. Use less water in a flat area. The water should soak in within seconds and not lay standing. The following assumes your garden has started growing.
- Lay either a perforated old garden hose between rows of plants near, but not on, the roots of the plants. You may also use drip irrigation hoses. The ends are capped, and you'll need enough to reach all the plants.
- Do this for each section or row of plants. Leave the couplings at the end of the rows.
- Increase water retention in the soil by adding a layer of at least three inches of straw covering the hoses and roots. This also provides shade for roots, keeps them cooler and reduces overall water usage.
- Attach the water supply to the couplings at the end of each hose. Keep the coupling end out of the plants and along the edge of the garden. You'll be able to find them quicker that way.
- Turn on the water supply. You can either allow the water to drip all night and turn it off in the morning or just do it in the early morning hours. Allow enough time for the water to soak into the soil before it gets hot outside. Hot water can burn tender roots. Don't forget to turn it off.
- Remember to remove hoses in the fall and drain the water from them. Store inside to prevent weathering.