Kinghorn Gardens

Watering Your Garden

June 16th, 2010

Although we have had an unusual amount of rain for the month of June in Nebraska, so we haven’t had to water our gardens, I am sure things will change as the summer progresses.  We will return to out normal hot dry and windy, and watering will return to our schedule of garden activities.

One of the most important components to a successful is watering.  It sounds simple enough, but it’s not.  When done properly your plants will have the roots they need to withstand hotter and drier weather.  Here are a few hints and suggestions when it comes to watering your garden:

1. For large trees and shrubs, turn your garden hose to a slow trickle and place at the base of the trunk.  Allow the water to run for 20 to 30 minutes (though durations can vary depending on the size of the plant).  Watering deeply will encourage deeper root growth.
2. Don’t rely on soaker hoses!  Though they can be helpful, they are often strung out in a straight line, which will only water one side of the plant and may completely miss other plants.  In hot weather, or newly planted gardens, you will need supplemental water.
3. Use a long handled watering wand.  This will save your back and your plants.  Ideally it is best to avoid watering the foliage of plants, so the long handle will enable you to easily water at the base of plants.
4. Water in the morning!  Watering in the evening can allow fungi and other diseases to develop.  If you water when it hot out, it is a waste of time and resources, as the evaporation rate is high.
5. How do you know when to water? The best way to discern whether you need to water is to get your hands dirty, and feel the soil around the base of the plant.  If it’s dry water it!
6. Have a newly planted garden?  Make sure you make enough time to water.  Though the task seems simple, it can be time consuming when proper techniques are employed.  Smaller plants, such as perennials, have small root masses when planted, which means they will dry out fast.  It is important to make sure theses smaller plants are kept moist, it extreme weather, that may even mean daily watering.  Give them a good soak, at the base of the plant, passing the wand over them a couple times isn’t going to cut it!