Do you have plants or trees in the garden that show signs of dehydration? Irrigation is necessary especially in summer. But as water is now an increasingly expensive and valuable resource, the operation should be economical and efficient. Follow the following 9 tips for optimal garden watering to enjoy nourished and healthy plants and trees.
Organizing an easy, yet profitable irrigation of your garden, regardless of its size and the plants it hosts, is an essential operation. Crop survival depends on it. There are some tricks to optimize watering the garden and to prevent it from becoming a chore. Discover with us 9 of the most important.
Identify the water needs of the plants in your garden
Just looking at the leaves, you can find out if a plant needs a little water or more. The small, skin-like leaves are spiky, shiny, fleshy or waxy, usually indicating low water requirements.
On the other hand, plants with thin leaves, soft or large, consume a lot of water, as well as those that form and develop dense clusters.
Wet when needed
All plants need water; but not in the same rhythm or in the same quantities. It is essential to wait until they are thirsty to provide them with water. Like us, they do not have to be hydrated all the time, but only when they need it.
To find out if your plants need to be watered, check the soil moisture under the surface layer. To do this, stick your thumb in the ground: if it is wet, irrigation is not necessary. Also, don’t forget to take a look at the weather, it’s useless to water your garden if it rains in the next few hours.
Carefully choose the time of day for irrigation
Depending on the season, you can opt for scheduling the activity in the evening or early morning, in no case in the middle of the day. In summer, you can perform the irrigation operation in the evening, at sunset. In spring and autumn, water the flower layers, the vegetable patch and the hedges in the morning, before 9:30 am. This will allow the leaves to dry quickly, which will reduce the risk of fungus.
Some opinions say that if you water them in the evening, the plants will spend the whole night in moist soil: thus, the roots may rot. In addition, the humidity during the night can attract snails and slugs to attack your plants.
Use good water
Most plants prefer rainwater or tap water because it is at room temperature and generally without large deposits of limestone.
Occasionally, put a piece of charcoal or activated charcoal in the collected water to keep it clear. It covers open barrels and tanks to prevent animals from entering, and if the tank is buried, the water does not evaporate and various colonies of organisms are not formed.
Apart from rainwater, for micro-crops, plain water is ideal for watering, as well as the liquid in which you boiled potatoes and eggs (without salt and cooled). Tap water, on the other hand, should always stay overnight before use.
Watering by spraying or at the base of plants
If sprinkler irrigation covers a large area simultaneously, it promotes the development of leaf diseases. Therefore, plant-based irrigation is recommended. Use the sprinkler rather than the hose, which has the disadvantage of bringing in too much water. The nature of the soil must also be taken into account. Moisture is quickly absorbed by the sandy soil, while in clay soil it can stagnate at the roots and cause rot.
Opt for an economical irrigation system
The flow of garden hoses is complicated to control and often leads to huge water losses. Choose a spray or drip irrigation system, which allows the water to be brought directly to the base of the installation and thus to make the irrigation more efficient. You can also install a drip system, a simple watering method that provides the right amount of water in the right place, especially if the soil is heavy or clayey.
Install a layer of mulch
Surrounding plants with mulch keeps the soil moist and therefore should be watered less frequently. This technique involves placing around the plants and flower beds, directly on the ground, a bedding that will feed, absorb water, maintain moisture and thus protect the soil. There are organic mulch (obtained from compost, tree bark or mowing debris, straw, sawdust and wood chips), mineral (gravel, stone crack, marble, limestone, etc.), but also plastics and geotextiles.
If you are not the most skilled gardener, prefer organic materials that allow you to feed the soil and avoid weeds.
Monitor irrigation time and quantity
Younger than older plants with well-developed root systems need more water. If you let several days pass between two intense waterings, water first, then repeat 30 minutes later. The water will penetrate deeper and will better irrigate the soil.
If you use a drip system or use sprinklers , evaluate the dryness of the soil: if there is a dry layer of 3 cm on the soil surface, irrigate for about 60 minutes. If the dry layer measures 5cm, soak for 90 minutes.
Better to water less often, but generously: when the soil is not too moist, the plant develops a more branched and deeper root system.
Avoid some mistakes
Be careful not to water the leaves of the plant, especially those of melons, peppers and tomatoes. If the rain has watered the leaves, shake them to remove water. This will prevent the development of fungal diseases.
Water that is too hot or too cold could damage the plants. Also, let the water “settle”, because the plants are usually watered at air temperature.
Do not let water puddle near plants, especially if the soil is heavy. To avoid this phenomenon, aerate the soil from time to time.
Ask a nursery expert or botanist for specific watering tips for your plants or trees, especially if they are exotic or fragile. The more you know, the better prepared you will be.
