Most people have their own style of watering, whether by watering can, sprinkler, hand nozzle, watering wand, hose, etc.

Watering your garden may seem like a simple thing to do. This is what most people think.

However, if done incorrectly, it may cause your plants to dry out, become diseased, weaken or die.

In today’s post, I’ll provide you with 10 of the 15 techniques you should use when watering your vegetable, perennial or container gardens.

Check it out.

Before watering your garden, take a good look at your soil to see how easily it drains. If your soil is sandy, water will drain from it quickly, yet lose many nutrients.

If your soil is clay-based, it is rich in nutrients, but will hold water much longer, possibly becoming water logged when overwatered.

If your soil has a loamy texture, it will have adequate drainage, yet not leach out nutrients.

Here are 10 Ways to Properly Water Your Garden

1. When watering your plants, do not water them from above or directly at the foliage – water only at the roots or soil level
2. Water for longer periods of time and less often, as opposed to shorter and more frequently – vegetable gardens need 1-inch of water per week.
3. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation – if available, for easier watering at longer periods of time.
4. Do not water after a rain, if the soil is thoroughly saturated with water – Plant roots need to breath. By keeping the soil saturated, the delicate air pockets in the soil will remain flooded with water. This may lead to various plant diseases and may weaken the plants.
5. Only water if the soil needs it – If you water your plants frequently and for short periods of time, only the top layer of soil will absorb water. Plant’s roots will not grow deeply and instead will remain short and shallow, making them susceptible to pests, disease and damage. If you allow your soil to dry out a little between waterings, the plants will develop roots that grow deeply in search of water.
6. When watering containers, ensure water flows from the bottom of the pot, before finishing – I often lift the pot to check if it’s heavy after watering. This only works if the pot is small enough to lift. After some experience with watering, you will be able to recognize when a pot is full, without having to lift or tip it.
7. Consider an inexpensive rain gauge – It will tell you how much water your garden has received from rain or watering. Then help you decide when to water again.
8. When planting seeds, ensure that the soil remains evenly moist – especially for delicate seedlings that can’t recover from drying out.
9. If you don’t enjoy watering or have little time, plant drought-tolerant plants – like succulents, lavender and daylilies.
10. Sandy soil dries out quicker than clay soil, therefore requiring more weekly watering – Another option is to amend sandy soil with compost, to increase its water retaining capacity.

I would love to know how you prefer to water your garden? Please leave a comment below.

Happy Gardening!