Hooray for WATER! Gardeners are thrilled to have huge inflows into our lakes and finally be able to take better care of our landscapes. Now that watering restrictions have been eased somewhat, it’s important not to try to overcompensate, but to water efficiently and effectively. Here are our tips for proper watering this summer and setting your gardens, landscapes, and lawns up for a gorgeous fall that’s right around the corner.
Very Important: Know How Much You’re Watering!
Under the current Stage 2 watering schedule, we’re allowed to run spray irrigation systems, including hose-end sprinklers, once every other week. This is an adequate schedule for lawns even during the heat of summer as long as you’re applying a proper 1″ of water. To measure, use the old gardener’s tuna can trick. Place an empty tuna can (which is 1″ deep) out in the yard while you run your sprinklers. When it fills up, you know you’ve applied enough water. Depending on your sprinkler type, the timing can vary. For example, pro irrigation spray heads and impact sprinklers produce larger water droplets, while hose-end oscillating sprinklers produce smaller droplets and take much longer to apply enough water. Test with your tuna can to find out exactly how long you should be running your irrigation system or your sprinklers.
Slow & Deep Watering Wins
When it comes to watering, think depth not frequency. When you water deeply, you’re creating depth moisture in the soil, and encouraging roots to grow deeper. Deeper, healthier root systems allow plants to take up more water and nutrients, and allow plants to withstand dry periods. Remember, plants are not people – they don’t need drinks of water every day (with some exceptions).
Water Plants at Soil Level
Plants take up water from the roots…so that’s where we need to apply water! Watering over the top of plants opens the door for evaporation and runoff, plus water on the leaves on a hot day can create a magnifying glass effect and scorch your leaves. This is why drip irrigation and soaker hoses are great – it gets water right down to the roots with almost no evaporation. Under current watering rules, you can run drip irrigation systems any day before 10 and after 6. But keep in mind, a good deep drink once a week is better than short durations every day.
New Plantings and Pots = Water More Often
Now that we’ve preached depth vs. frequency, here are the exceptions: new plants and potted plants! Tender new plants WILL need water every day to get their roots established. A good rule of thumb when planting is to water every day for about 2 weeks, every other day for the next 2 weeks, then about once a week after that, depending on the plant. Of course this can vary depending on temperature, sun/shade, and wind. Watering by hand is great during this establishment period because it keeps you in touch with your plants. You’ll notice which ones are thirstier and adjust accordingly. Similarly, potted plants, even those that are well-established, may need water every day or every other day this summer. Be sure you’re checking the moisture level in your pots and watering deeply.
Invest in Good-Quality Watering Tools
We carry a few different watering wands, sprinklers, soaker hoses, and drip irrigation kits that we’ve tested here in the nursery. Take it from the pros who do a lot of watering – it’s so much more fun when you have good quality tools! Perhaps the most important tool to keep handy is a moisture meter. They’re about $10, and they’re incredibly easy to use – just stick the probe down into the soil at the root ball and surrounding area, and you’ll get an instant moisture reading. This is not cheating! Moisture meters have saved many a plant here at Gill’s and in landscapes all over town.
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