General Watering Tips
Observe your garden! Garden survival depends on your garden receiving at least one inch of water each week. The amount of watering you do will increase, or decrease due to weather and climate changes throughout the year.
Most vegetable gardens and flowering plants also need about an inch of water every week to keep them at their best. Blueberries, gooseberries and currents are juicier and sweeter, if giving adequate water frequently especially during the hot weather.
Whenever possible, water plants in the morning or early afternoon so the soil will have a chance to warm up before the evening.
Drought resistant plants don’t require watering as often, but the principles of deep watering still apply.
Worried about a dry spell? Mulch the soil! Mulching aids water retention.
If the garden is exposed to prolong heat like the summer, the transition to cooler autumn days must not result in less watering for the garden ; the garden still needs to have an adequate amount moisture even on cool days.
Check the soil in your garden before watering; perceive if it’s dry and brittle, or muddy? Think how much rain you have received the week before. If there has been a half inch of rain already this week you probably wouldn’t want to over water. Over watering your plant may cause it to die.
A helpful tool to prevent over watering is a rain gauge. When watering garden, water slowly to ensure seeping and longer moisture.
Fruit Trees
Water fruit trees – especially young ones – using a slow drip system such as a Treegator® , or a bag system which will deliver about 20 gallons of water directly to the roots over the space of a few hours.
Hanging Baskets (with plants)
During hot weather, the hanging baskets and container grown plants are sometimes neglected; they survive at best if watered every second day.
Test the soil before watering by inserting your finger an inch or two into the pot and feel for moisture near the root area.
