Plants cant survive without waterbut too much or too little causes problems.
Plants can’t survive without water.
But too much or too little causes problems that you might mistakenly blame on diseases or insects.
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More plants have been killed byimproper wateringthan just about anything else.
The basic problem is that no two plants have exactly the same water requirements.
The trick for wise watering is that it actually begins with smart planning.
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And, let us remind you: No two gardens are the same!
Start with knowing your soil.Soil typesdiffer in how much water they hold and how long they hold it.
Sand holds little water and dries out quickly.
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Clay holds lots of water and dries out slowly.
Loam reacts somewhere in between.
If necessary, add organic matter to new planting areas to improve soil texture and help hold moisture better.
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In planning your plant layout, think in zones.
There’s no magic rule of watering that covers all plants.
Then plant ones that prefer dry soil, such as junipers, sedums, and yuccas elsewhere.
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Newly planted ones generally need more than those that are established.
Do they look stressed?
Are they drooping or losing leaves?
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Feel the soil around them.
Don’t water unless the top 2 inches of soil has dried out.
When it’s time to water, do so thoroughly.
If plants need water,early morningis the perfect time to do it.
This will carry them through the heat of the day.
Late afternoon is not as good because of increased water loss through evaporation.
Also, if leaves do not have time to dry, the cooler evening air can encourage fungal growth.
A 5 8-inch size is best for all-around use.
When covered by a layer of mulch, soaker hoses lose very little water to evaporation.
They are also good on steep slopes, where sprinkler sprays might lead to runoff and erosion.
You’ll probably need to leave soakers on longer than you would sprinklers.
To determine timing, check water penetration with a trowel or screwdriver.
In-Ground Sprinkler Systems
These offer some advantages over hose-end options.
They free you from moving hoses and can operate even if you’re away from home.
Newer sprinklers produce less runoff and overspray and distribute water more evenly.
After all, you don’t want to water the street.
Also set separate spray patterns for lawns and other plants.
A heavilymulched planting bedwill need much less water than your lawn.
Sprinklers simulate rain, except that sprinkler heads often throw the water horizontally.
Sprinklers are the best method for watering turf and large areas of ground covers.
Set sprinkler heads at different angles and with generous overlaps to confirm all areas are covered.
Water penetration is slow, its depth regulated by the length of time the system is on.
The tubing with inline emitters, shown at bottom, encircles a citrus.
U-stakes hold the line in place.
As with soaker hoses, drip irrigation systems can be covered with mulch to minimize evaporation or runoff.
They can be used anywhere you have individual plants, from cabbages to oak trees.
They also work for containers and evenhanging baskets.
Don’t let it run off your roof and down the storm drain.
Save it for a non-rainy day.
Simply cut your downspout to the height of yourrain barreland divert water into it.
Place containers nearby to keep them within reach, or plant around your barrel.
To keep mosquitos at bay, choose a barrel that is sealed around the downspout.
Plant a Rain Garden
A rain garden is a depression in the landscape where runoff can collect.
It’s filled with plants, so don’t picture a giant mud hole.
Water that collects there will slowly soak back into the landscape over a 24- to 36-hour period.
