Regular watering is vital for any lawn or garden, but it’s especially crucial in an organic garden, where you don’t have artificial chemicals to help perk up the plants. That being the case, we thought we’d offer a few reminders to help you get the most out of your water, which may be limited in times of drought.
First of all, how do you know when to water? For plants growing in containers, you should check the moisture with your fingers on a daily basis. Remember, potting medium is very lightweight and porous and tends to dry out quickly, so it may require more frequent watering than normal soil. For your lawn or garden, an electronic soil tester is invaluable for testing soil moisture; otherwise, you can dig up a small area with a thin-bladed trowel or screwdriver and do a touch test. If the soil down to 3-4 inches is dry to the touch, it needs water.
On average, a lawn needs about one inch of water per week. It’s better to water less frequently and more deeply, so that your plants and lawn develop stronger root systems. Trees and shrubs should be watered deeply every 10-14 days, if you don’t get a deep, soaking rain during that period.
It’s best to water early in the morning or late in the evening, because it decreases the rate of water loss through evaporation. Of the two, morning is best; dampness overnight may lead to fungal diseases. Don’t water in the heat of the day, especially when it’s sunny; ironically this may burn your plants, as sunlight refracts through the water droplets and is focused to higher intensity.
Finally, keep in mind that watering can flush nutrients out of the very soil you’re trying to enrich, so it’s a good idea not to overwater. One way to limit this problem is to use an organic fertilizer or compost as a top dressing around your plants. This will help stabilize the nutrient load.
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