Learn 7 tips to help you water your garden correctly
Autumn is considered one of the least demanding seasons of the year for irrigation, and this was before climate change. However, at these times we cannot guarantee that you will maintain the lawn, aromatic plants, flowers, and crops that we have worked so hard to preserve during the dry summer months.
It's crucial to know how often to water tomatoes or how to install an irrigation system, but it's equally important to learn how to conserve water or how to water your garden effectively so all your crops receive the water they need to grow strong and healthy. Therefore, today on this blog, we'll show you some tips and techniques for watering your urban garden and enjoying the fruits of your investment and effort without having to wait for rain, which you can't predict.
How to water the garden
The key to distinguishing a beautiful and healthy garden from a withered and diseased one is knowing how to water the garden correctly, because everything depends on watering, such as: the height of the plants, their health, fruit and vegetable production, and the presence or absence of certain pests and diseases.
Learning to irrigate well is extremely difficult. It's not just about having a good artesian well or a great irrigation system installed, although that helps with irrigation. You can learn to irrigate much better with a little practice and the basic tips that we will present to you in this article.
Tip 1: You should determine the amount of water needed to irrigate your garden and not irrigate it randomly.
The first key piece of advice that many people forget when using a garden hose is that too little water can cause the plants and flowers in your orchard or garden to dry out, wilt, and die due to what is called "water stress." Overwatering, or not directing excess water properly, can damage plant roots, cause them to rot, and encourage the growth of fungi and other pests. Therefore, it is necessary to water the garden with a moderate amount of water to avoid damaging plants and crops. If you continue this practice, you will avoid many problems.
Tip 2: You need to know the right time to water.
Do you know how often you need to water tomatoes, roses, or aromatic plants?
Answer: It depends on the season, soil quality, and the amount of nutrients in the compost. We will give you two of the simplest tricks to know if it's time to water.
In summer, you will need to water at least once a day (or twice if you live in very hot places). In spring, autumn, and winter, you are supposed to water a few times a week, but this is not always the case and the plant may need more frequent watering.
- The finger test. It's not the cotton test, but it's similar: touch the surface of the soil with your fingers; if there are no soil particles when you lift them, it means the soil is very dry and needs some water.
Tip 3: You should plan your planting according to your watering needs.
Some gardening beginners make the mistake of not planning their crops well and placing tomatoes, onions, peas, or herbs in the first free space they can find.
As we've mentioned before, planning your garden or even potted crops before planting is essential for enjoying a good harvest or simply watching beautiful ornamental plants grow. But in addition, crop distribution is also important for the topic of our article today: irrigation.
Some plants need more water, others need less... we must distribute the species on our land according to their specific irrigation needs, and this is very simple.
Some plants that need moderate or even even medium watering:
tomatoes.
Peas.
option.
Some plants that need a lot of watering:
zucchini.
Leeks.
Artichoke.
celery.
Some plants that need little watering:
spices.
zaatar.
Romero.
garlic.
onion.
lentils.
Tip 4: Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is one of the most important systems for keeping your urban garden well-hydrated and preventing water waste. You can find various professional systems on the market that ensure your crops receive the right amount of water with minimal worry beyond occasional pipe checks, reprogramming, and pressure adjustments according to the season.
Tip 5: Water the land
There are people who don't like using drip irrigation systems, preferring to use a hose or watering can for life and enjoy the wonderful aroma of fresh soil. This experience is priceless, especially in the twilight of summer evenings when your urban garden is bathed in that special amber light, isn't it? But let's move on to another tip: if you decide to water the traditional way, try not to overwater the aerial parts of the plants. Excess moisture on the flowers and stems can lead to fungal growth and other pests. Try to water the soil at ground level and carefully control the water pressure so that it doesn't pull out clumps or damage the roots of smaller plants.
Tip 6: You should check the water quality.
Another mistake newcomers to urban gardening often make is failing to check the quality of the water they use to irrigate their crops. As you know, there's clean water and unclean water, with varying levels of chlorine and mineral salts. If you're fortunate enough to have access to an artesian well for your garden, you should invest some money in water analysis. If you're using tap water, simply contact your local municipality and inquire. In either case, it's worth the time and money.
Tip 7: Practice swaddling
Mulching is an old technique that has made a comeback in recent years. It involves covering crops with materials that retain moisture and enrich the soil. You'll find various materials specifically designed for mulching on the market , but common options include hedge clippings, leftover branches and stumps from pruning, freshly cut grass, some cardboard or paper, wood from fruit crates, dried compost, and so on.