At this midpoint of the growing
season—when crops are past the time for tilling, but not yet ready for
threshing—perhaps all that your plants want now is a bit of water.
At every stage of their lifecycle,
plants use water. Water signals to seeds that it is safe to germinate, and once
the first set of leaves emerge from the soil, water becomes fundamental to
photosynthesis (the process by which a plant manufactures food for further
growth). Plants use transpiration to “sweat” water through their stomata, which
helps to cool them when they get too hot. And water allows nutrients from the
soil to be drawn up through the roots to nourish other parts of the
plant.
With the mists (and snows) of May
now in full retreat, we are well-advised to adopt a watering schedule for our
flowers and vegetables. How much to water will generally depend on the weather,
the soil conditions, and the drought-tolerance of individual species. We can
determine whether our plants are parched or succumbing to sogginess by getting
out in the garden to make a few simple observations.
Some
Visible Signs of a Watering Problem:
Both underwatering and overwatering
can cause yellow or brown leaves, so look more closely, and examine the
texture:
- Are the leaves brittle and crispy? If so, you may be
underwatering.
- Wilted and limp leaves, despite moisture in the soil,
point to overwatering.
Examine the soil:
- Dusty, crusty, or cracked soil suggest underwatering.
- Soil that drains poorly and remains slick and slippery
might mean overwatering.
Ideally, your garden soil will drain
well and maintain a loamy texture that will hold both moisture and oxygen.
Sandy soils can drain too quickly and do a poor job at retaining water, leaving
your plants perpetually thirsty, whereas the fine particles of clay can adhere
too closely when moistened, making it difficult for roots to access oxygen. Soil
can be improved by adding organic matter like compost and mulch; with time,
these amendments will incorporate into the soil and help strike a balance
between moisture retention and drainage.
Other
considerations:
- Seedlings and new plantings will generally want more
frequent watering than established plants. Until they’ve matured, emerging
root systems won’t be able to reach the moisture held in deep soil, so
give them a little extra attention with the hose.
- Read up on your plants to learn which conditions they
prefer! For instance, lettuce might
be stressed by the same dry, sandy conditions that sustain an herb like
lavender or thyme.
- Also, make a habit of checking the local weather
forecast—and don’t expect a light shower to quench your crops. Flower and
vegetable gardens will generally need at least one inch of precipitation
per week. If temps are high and humidity levels are low, your plants are
likely losing moisture.
The
Rule of Thumb
With consideration to the above, a
good rule of thumb for most flower and vegetable gardens is 1-2 good
soakings from the hose per week. The idea is to water deeply enough that it
attracts young root systems downward where they are more likely to find
moisture during dry spells. You’ll want your weekly watering to seep 8-12
inches below the soil’s surface.
A rain gauge in the garden can also
help you track weekly precipitations levels. No rain gauge? Check moisture
levels the old-fashioned way: dig an index finger as far down into the soil as
it will go. If it feels bone dry, then your plants are probably thirsty.
A
few more essentials to keep mind:
- If you have a large garden, break up the task by
watering different sections on different days of the week. This way you
are less likely to succumb to the urge to sprinkle rather than soak.
- Unless your plants stay wilted through the afternoon heat
and well into the evening, they can wait to be watered until the following
morning. If plant leaves are wet through the night, you’re more likely to
incur damage from fungus and slugs.
- Water the roots—not the leaves! Sure, you’ll get some
leaves wet while you water, but it’s best to aim toward the base of the
plant to get that water into the soil rather than evaporating into the
air.
- Weeding and mulching keeps weeds from competing for
water, so continue to mulch and weed through the season.
As “primary producers” in our
ecosystem, terrestrial plants are well adapted to the conditions in which they
typically find themselves and need no help from us. But most gardens are a
combination of introduced and native species at different stages of
development, and some introduced plants may be unsuited for survival beyond the
growing season. This is why, like good hosts of Midsummer festivities, we
gardeners provide our invited guests with well-prepared beds, protection from
pests, good food—and, of course, enough to drink. Happy Solstice!
This article comes to you
from the Hudson Valley Seed Company: your source for heirloom and
open-pollinated garden seeds and beautiful garden-themed contemporary art. On
our site, you'll find photos and artwork that stoke your horticultural
imagination—along with tips to make your garden dreams a reality.