Proper Watering for Healthy Plants

ALL PLANTS DEPEND ON WATER

 

 

 

"Nothing of any consequence to a living plant happens in dry soil. Roots don't grow there. No nutrients pass from dry soil to plant. None of the symbiotic soil dwellers the plants need live there. Dry soil isn't part of the plant's vital ecology. It just doesn't count." -Edward C. Smith, The Vegetable Gardener's Container Bible.

Even Cactus which like it dry, flower and sets seed after seasonal rainfalls. This is the ultimate goal for all life on Earth, to reproduce and flourish.

 

Unfortunately many plant disease and problems are caused by poor watering practices. As a general rule in our area of New Jersey most plants, including lawns, require one inch of water per week. An inexpensive or homemade rain meter can save time and help keep your water bills down.

 

This is especially true for lawns. 'Damp feet' at night is a major cause for many lawn diseases. An ideal water practice for lawns is one inch of water once a week, or a half inch twice a week, early in the morning. This encourages the roots to grow down deep and gives the lawn hours of sun to dry off before nightfall.

Containers dry out faster than plants in the ground, so they need more attention. There are a few things you can do to make sure your potted plants are getting the best watering you can give them. First water the soil, with few exceptions, plants don't like wet leaves. Water your pots twice, five minutes apart. The first watering will dampen the top layer of soil. Five minutes later give them a second watering. This second watering will work its way deep into the pot where the root system can absorb it.

A handy watering tool is the 'Water-wand', a soaker nozzle at the end of a long metal tube. A stream of water is easily released where the plants need it most; soil level and close to the roots. These can be found at your local garden center.

 

Remember water wands are designed to reach the soil while keeping the leaves dry, so simply holding it over the plants defeats the propose.

 

One of he most common complaints I hear is I worked hard on my garden but never got to enjoy it.
Try to make time to sit and enjoy your garden as often as possible. Enjoying a morning cup of coffee there is only a few steps away.

 

Happy Gardening ,
Jamie