Water

As I write this post, we're in the middle of the hot, dry season here in south, central Pennsylvania. It's a time of year when all of us gardeners are very conscience of the necessity of water and making sure our plants are getting enough. Although some need it more than others and may get it in different ways, there is no plant on this Earth that can live without water. Understanding how water effects your garden is essential to garden success.

Idea for a future water feature? Just kidding, this is the Italian water
feature at Longwood Gardens. 

Those of us east of the Mississippi River tend to have plenty of water (July and August excepted) while those on the western side struggle greatly with drought issues. I only have experience gardening here in the east so things like Xeriscaping (landscaping for dessert and low water climates) is not my forte.

Here are some gardening hacks to help you with water in your garden.

First, as a rule of thumb, people tend to over water plants indoors and under water plants outdoors so be aware of your natural tendencies.

Second, few plants enjoy standing water so be sure all your plants have good drainage. You can do this by making sure there are holes in the bottom of any pots your are using and not placing your garden in an area where water tends to puddle up after a rain. If all of your property tends to be water logged, then you'll need to put in raised beds to encourage drainage. Standing water will rot roots and there isn't any way to fix a plant after that has happened.

Third, in hot weather like this, regular watering is essential. I water my window boxes every morning.  It helps to build your garden near your outdoor spigot to make hose watering easier.  A lot of professionals will encourage you to use soaker hoses or special watering systems to minimize water usage. It's a great idea if you want to invest the money into it. I haven't done so.

Fourth, your garden plants actually don't want to get their leaves wet as this can encourage mold and mildew. When you water plants, try your best to avoid the leaves and just soak the soil. 

Fifth, small trees and shrubs do best when watered deeply about once a week. If it hasn't rained in some time, I will take a 5 gallon bucket of water for each new tree or bush I have. After a few years, your plants will be well enough established that you shouldn't need to worry about it.

Sixth, know your soil type. Sandy soil drains much quicker than clay so if your soil is sandy, your plants may need more frequent watering. 

Finally, don't water your plants in the afternoon. The sun will just dry it out quicker. Joe Lampl, host of Growing a Greener World and the Joe Gardener Podcast, says the best time to water your garden is first thing in the morning before the dew dries off. 

I hope these tips help you understand water in your garden better. Lots has been written on the importance of water conservation but that's a whole different discussion. I could also do a post on water features or how water attracts wildlife but there isn't room here. Do you have any gardening water hacks? Feel free to share in the comments below.