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| Photo credit: Attic24/Flickr |
Are you getting frustrated
that you can’t bring out the best in your garden plants despite your efforts of
regularly watering them? While it’s true that plants need ample water to be
healthy, experts say that gardeners must also be mindful about watering methods
– if not, you might just be wasting water away or inviting unwanted plant
diseases. Some factors must be considered, just as how gardeners decide when to
plant something, and here are some basic tips on how to water your plants
properly:
1. Quantity doesn’t always go with quality.
When the soil is moist, it’s much better to have it soaked once a week rather
than watered frequently. Moisture makes it favorable for the growth of fungi
like Fusarium, and you’ll be having a
pestilent, saprobe colony rather than a resplendent, colorful garden. Another
thing: don’t walk around much when the grounds are wet to minimize the spread
of fungal infection.
2. Age does matter. Young plants need more
water as their cells are rapidly multiplying, and they should receive larger
amounts immediately after being transplanted. A good way to measure the right
amount of water is to have the soil around young plants soaked to a depth of
6-12 inches, and it should not be watered again until the top 2-3 inches begin
to dry out. Don’t overdo it though, or you might flood your younglings. Use a
proper soaker line or sprinkler head if a hose is being used; or you might as
well use a watering can.
3. Timing counts. The worst time to water
your garden is mid-day, between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., because the heat would cause
the water to evaporate. The sun can also heat the water in the soil, burning
your plants and flowers, so you might as well do it in the morning or in the
afternoon. Be careful when you water at night, as the cool evening makes the
water become retained for a longer time, bringing in fungal infestation.
4. It depends on the weather. This
expression seems to apply to watering as well, and gardeners should adjust the
amount of water and watering frequency depending on climate and weather
conditions. You shouldn’t water on a windy day, as excessive evaporation may
take place, and more water is needed during hot and humid seasons. Needless to
say, turn on the local weather news to know what Mother Nature has in store
before you turn on the hose.
5. Different plants, different needs. Plants
such as cacti and succulents retain more water, thus they need less than mainstream
plants and flowers. Garden plants such as Zamioculcas
are xerophytes that are resilient to dry conditions, so you can even afford to
have them soaked at least once a week.
6. Mulch for moisture. Mulch can be a
great addition to your garden as it helps in retaining soil moisture. It can be
made of compost, straw, grass clippings or shredded newspaper, and topping it
off your soil beds will not only reduce your plants’ water needs, it will
reduce weed growth by as much as 90 percent. Don’t use too much mulch though,
as too much at one time can cause rot and mold infections. Plastic mulches are
also available and are preferred by many gardeners – it’s much more efficient
and cleaner.
If you want to know more about
how to properly water your plants, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be more
than happy to provide you with the things that you need to spruce up your
beautiful garden!
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