Small Space Gardening

Lesson 3: Plants

Watering

Watering is the most important care you give your plants. It begins with carefully watering transplants when they are first planted and ends with watering fully mature crops just before harvest. Let’s look at this topic carefully.

Water quality is a definite factor in how well your crops grow. In my hometown, the pH of our water is quite high. It is often necessary for me to let the water bucket set out overnight to evaporate the chlorine out of the water. Sometimes, the water tests so high that I use aquarium pH lowering chemicals to adjust the pH down to a neutral level. Since this is so time-consuming for outdoor gardening, I often resort to the garden hose and hope for the best.

New gardeners often ask how often they need to water. The answer is that it depends on soil type, air temperature, and plants grown. Let’s look at the 3 factors that determine how often you need to water.

Water drains through clay the slowest and through sand the fastest. A good quality loam soil will hold enough water for optimal plant growth without leaving the roots with chronically wet feet. Clay will need watering less often than sand.

Air temperature makes a substantial difference because of the evaporation rate. Water evaporates slowest in cool temperatures and quickest in warm temperatures. This is because cool air holds less water vapor than warm air does.

Plants need varying amounts of water. Some are very thirsty and wilt if they are not watered at least once a day on hot days. This is because more water evaporates from the leaves on warm days. Some plants must never be allowed to dry out. These include many shade-loving plants that need their roots consistently moist. Other plants prefer brief periods of dryness after watering. You must observe your plants carefully to learn their needs. If the plant shows signs of wilting, it may be under-watered. However, if the soil feels wet and you have recently watered, the wilting can be a sign that the roots are drowning from the soil being too wet. Remember that the roots have to have air to grow properly.

Effects of Mulching on Watering Frequency

If you mulch your soil, as a good gardener should, the soil will stay moist longer. I strongly recommend feeling the soil by poking your finger at least an inch down to see if it is dry yet. Alternatively, use one of the unvarnished wood sticks used in cooking. Poke the stick down at least an inch or two. If the stick stays its original color, the soil is dry and you need to water. If the stick turns slightly darker, wait a day and test again before watering.

How Should You Water?

This depends on the size of your garden. If you are a square foot gardener, a bucket of sun-warmed water and a cup is all you need for a four-foot square garden bed. You simply give each plant a cup of water, being sure to pour it into the saucer-shaped depression. The water, in good soil, will sink down to the root level.

If you resort to using a hose for watering, you actually shock your plants. Due to the shock, the plant will stop growing for a few hours or even a day. Obviously, it is better to keep your plants growing and producing their crop on a steady basis.

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