Watering is one of the most frequent tasks performed in any garden or landscape. Proper watering utilizes water responsibly, reducing evaporation and runoff. There are many ways to make the process easier and better for the gardener and the plants. Here’s a few tips for watering your lawn and garden.
Quality Over Quantity
Don’t be afraid to soak the soil! The roots of your plants and grass grow as deeply as there is water available, and the deeper they grow the stronger the roots. Watering deeply means getting the top 6-8 inches of soil moist. During dry and hot periods you should aim to do this once per week for most plants, grasses, and trees. Not only will this practice allow strong root growth, but it will also help your plants become more drought-tolerant!
Early or Late
Watering early in the morning or after the sun has set is more beneficial than watering in the middle of the day. When the sun is out it can heat up the water (and your plants) and evaporation will leave you wasting water. If you’ve got sprinklers with a timer, set them up for at least an hour before sunrise or an hour after sunset.
Water Soil
When we say water your plants, we mean water your soil. To keep the leaves and flowers looking their best, your plants’ roots need water. Wet leaves will do nothing if the soil is dry!
Hold Water
One way to help your soil retain moisture that your plants can use is to mulch around them. Mulches help regulate soil temperature and keep the water from evaporating as quickly. Using organic mulch has the added benefit of adding nutrients to the soil as it decomposes!
Sprinkler types make a difference
Avoid using overhead sprinklers that spray a lot of water high into the air because more water will be lost to evaporation. Instead, use sprinklers that keep water lower to the ground and can easily be adjusted to change the delivery pattern so water can be applied directly to the area that needs it. Orient sprinklers so they don’t wet sidewalks or driveways where water will just run off. Consider using spot sprinklers rather than oscillating sprinklers to water small areas, such as patches of newly seeded lawn or small gardens.
With water, your grass will grow.
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