Watering your garden is simple if you know the basics. Following these guidelines will keep your flowers, trees and shrubs in great shape throughout the growing season.
When to Water
The best time to water your flowers, trees and shrubs is early in the morning. The soft morning sun will gently dry a plant’s foliage making it less prone to disease. Afternoon watering, as well as evening watering, should be avoided. Watering your garden during the heat of the afternoon can scorch foliage. And late evening watering is an open invitation for the development of problems such as mold, mildew and fungus.
Water your hanging baskets and containers only when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Keep it too dry, and your plants will wilt and die. Keep it too wet, and your plants will develop root rot and die. Different size containers will dry out at different rates, especially on windy days. Check each container several times daily to determine its’ watering needs. If you find a plant wilted in the evening, go ahead and water it at the base of the plant. The danger from dehydration exceeds the potential danger of your plant developing a disease.
How to Water
A slow and thorough soaking is the best method for watering your plants. Plants in the ground should be sufficiently watered as to allow moisture to reach the entire depth and width of the plant. This will promote deeper root development. Plants watered insufficiently will develop a shallow root structure and be less drought tolerant. Trees and shrubs need to be watered at the drip line. Remember to water gently to avoid runoff and minimize erosion.
Hanging baskets, window boxes, and pots should always have drainage holes at the bottom. Gently water the center of the container until water begins to emerge from the drain holes. Then continue to water for a few additional moments to lightly saturate the entire container to its edges.
