- by Grey County Master Gardeners

We all want lush, vigorous, healthy gardens, lawns and planters. Yet we also want to conserve water, especially in our unpredictable climate conditions – like the dry conditions we have experienced lately.

How much is enough water? Water requirements depend on many factors. Is the soil sandy or clay based? Does the garden have a layer of mulch to help retain moisture, and has compost been applied to add moisture retention for sandy soil and add porosity to clay soils? Are the plants appropriate for the soil type? Are the plants drought tolerant or water guzzlers?

Generally, we want to aim for a deep watering. Shallow watering creates a root zone close to the soil surface. This causes plants to become easily stressed and less able to tolerate drought and disease.

A garden and lawn require approximately 1 inch of water per week for the water to percolate to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. This amount encourages a deep strong root system that will help the plant withstand drought conditions and heat waves, as well as be better able to remain healthy and deter pests and disease.

If using a sprinkler system to water, lay a container such as an empty tuna can on the ground and observe when you have reached the 1-inch water amount required. (To make that easier you could consider using a timer that is set to that time.) When watering by hand with a hose, 30 seconds on a square yard should be sufficient

The time of day when you water is important. Try to water in the morning, between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. This allows the plants to dry and the water to penetrate the soil rather than be evaporated by the hot midday sun. If watering in the morning is not an option, wait until after 4:00 p.m. when the sun’s rays are not as strong. This avoids sun scorching of leaves and also the leaves are able to dry before night fall. If you must water at night, or at noon, try to only water the soil. Wet leaves encourage diseases such as powdery mildew.

To be sure you are not overwatering check the soil first by inserting a finger, if it is dry up to the second knuckle, watering is needed, if the soil is moist just below the surface, watering can be held off unless the plants look wilted. A wilted plant is not functioning.

Watch out for the “Umbrella affect” which can occur with plants with large leaves when they are watered from overhead. The water slides off the leaves far away from the root zone. Delivering water at the base of plants encourages deep roots and is especially important for establishing new plantings.

Containers gardens are a closed system, they are not part of your regular garden’s ecosystem and do not have the benefit of surrounding soil moisture and nutrient conditions. They need special consideration to water them properly. The smaller the container the more frequently they will need watering during heat waves and drought. Larger containers, from 12-inch diameter and up, require less watering and may require watering only every other day. Check all your containers daily.

Flora prefers water temperature close to what they would receive naturally, like rain and air temperature water. Water from rain barrels or containers that have been left out to come up to air temperature, is a great way to pamper your plants.

Other Considerations

- Place plants with like water requirements together to reduce unnecessary watering - drought tolerant plants together, those that like it wetter together.
- Plant native plants that are adapted to our environment wherever you can. When established, most are drought tolerant.
- Consider a rain garden for moisture loving plants and to mitigate water run off!
- Try drip Irrigation systems if you can. Determine when you have reached 8--10-inch water penetration and just set the timer!
- Install a rain barrel that collects rain from your roof and use the water for ornamental plants.
- Let the lawn go dormant for the hot summer months. Cut at 2 ½ to 3” height.
- Apply mulch to bare soil to help with water retention and to reduce evaporation.