Garden Watering Tips

It’s easy to use way more water than you need to on a garden. These garden watering tips can help you make sure you’re using water wisely, keeping your plants and your wallet healthy.

Water established plants less. When plants are first planted, they require frequent watering, but once they are established, they usually require less water. Some plants will even rot with excessive watering. So research the optimum watering schedule for a plant once it has taken root and make the switch once the plant has taken hold.

Soak, rather than sprinkle. The most effective way to water plants is to soak them, rather than sprinkle them. Soaking allows water to penetrate deep into the soil, which in turn causes plant roots to grow deeper, more strongly establishing the plant. Roots that stay close to the surface can be damaged by the elements and keep a plant weak.

Instead of using a sprinkler or even a regular hose, which you would have to keep moving from plant to plant to properly soak them, use a soaker hose. Soaker hoses have holes throughout the hose to allow for a slow, steady release of water the length of the hose.

Water the soil, not the plant. Plants feed themselves by drawing moisture and nutrients up through their roots, not down through their leaves. So, water the soil around the base of the plant, rather than watering the leaves from the top.

Mulch. Mulch helps plants in two ways: by holding moisture and moderating temperature. Reducing evaporation helps soil retain the water you apply with soaking, and temperature moderation helps protect plants against intense heat in the summer and deep cold in the winter.

Collect water. Your hose may be the obvious source of water, but it’s not the only one, or even the most frugal one. Collecting rainwater and air conditioner condensation provides free water to use in your garden. Air conditioner condensation is especially plentiful when you need it most – in the hot, summer months.

Water in the morning. The best time for garden watering is in the morning. Watering plants in the heat of the day is inefficient, since a significant portion of the water will evaporate, and watering in the evening, when more moisture is already present in the air, can encourage the growth of damaging mold or fungus. Watering in the morning allows water to soak in and be used by plants throughout the day.

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