Sprinkler System Or Human And Hose - What Are Your Options?

Of course watering your garden is one of the most essential steps, but is the water getting properly to the roots that help the plant grow? With proper watering techniques you can get rid of more pests, have less disease and bacteria and better roots. Learn how to accurately water your plants and gardens and kick the bad habits to the curb.

Amend the soil so that it absorbs and stores water.

By first taking care of the soil this will aid in better growth for your plants. By adding compost and other organic materials this with help the soil be richer in moisture. Organic materials hold the water longer, which is better for the plants. This also means you get to water less than normal. Natural resources, in addition to keeping the soil rich in moisture, it also helps break down heavy soils, so the water can spread easier. One thing to watch is that certain plants do well with rainfall. These particular plants won't need to be watered as much. Shrubs, trees, and perennials fall into this category. Still confused about which plants need water? Follow these simple guidelines.

Pay attention to plants that have survived the weathered elements. If they can survive through what Mother Nature puts them through, then they will not need to be watered.

Plants often show signs they need water. Wait until they start to show signs of stress before watering them. Annuals and recently moved plants should never dry out. You want to provide a sturdy root system for each plant, be sure to carefully water for a couple solid years to achieve this.

One way to get more information is to check out garden books. Sunset's Western Garden book is a great place to start.

“Stop, poke, and dig� before (and after) watering.

It is a good idea to know how deep the roots and soils are before watering. This way you can properly give the plants the necessary amount. Take your shovel or even a core-sampler to see how deep the soil is. Take samples from various areas in your garden so you know precisely. Keep track of what the soil type is and how deep it goes so as to not over water.

How deep is “deeply�?

The best way to water your plants are to moisten the soil around the roots and a little below so the roots have some place to grow. You can run a simple watering test to see if you are watering correctly. Run your sprinkler for 15 minutes, a couple hours later check the surrounding soil and see how deep the water has gone. If it is not below the roots, you will know you will have to water that area more. Re-do the test as needed, but be sure to stay on top of how much the plant has grown so you can water longer.

How frequent is “infrequently�?

You must determine how much you should water your plants. You can do this by knowing what type of soil you have, what kind of layers in the soil, and the depth of the roots. It is best to let the soil dry out between each time of watering. This lets the roots grow and breathe. Annuals can dry out an inch or more deep, whereas perennials and shrubs can dry out 3 inches deep. For new transplants and seedlings, the soil should remain damp. Lawn roots should dry ¼ of the total depth.

Sprinklers often aren't the best for watering your plants. The water does not make it to the roots as needed. Here are some tips for reducing the waste of water:

Do not use misting

You don't want the water to evaporate, but soak instead. Early morning or nighttime will help with this. But beware of watering at night so as fungus does not grow

Do not water when it is windy out.

Don't let the water hit the pavement - adjust it away.

If puddles occur, you should stop watering and let the water soak. Apply the water slowly.

Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are the best way to water your plants. They are both very efficient and they deliver the proper amount of water to your plants. These are some advantages to using a sprinkler:

The water spreads equally

No waste on unwanted areas such as pavement

It targets your plants not the air or anything

By keeping moisture on the leaves, it decreases diseases

With less water being used, it is possible to water larger areas.

What exactly is drip irrigation?

Soaker hoses are more common but learn how a drip irrigation system can benefit. They apply water in particular sections of your garden through what is called “emitters�. Emitters can be placed where you would like throughout the system, either for a large section of plants, or even individual plants. They have different flow rates for different flowers. This system can also be placed under the soil's surface to help better reach the roots.

By using this system, you steer clear of wasting water and you can have a large spaced out garden with targeted emitters. This is great for anyone with slopes or separated sections in their backyard. Check with your local nurseries for more information on how to make a drip irrigation system work for you.