Proper Watering

Water Wisely

Water Appropriately During Dry Weather

Unless it rains during the week, your garden plants need to be monitored for moisture. If you are gardening in containers, make sure to drill drain holes in the bottom of the container. To know if your soil needs moisture, push your fingertip down into the soil an inch or so; you should feel moist soil. If you do not feel moisture, then give your plants water until the soil is saturated to a depth of about 6 inches. If you are watering plants in a container – gently add water until it starts draining out of the holes.

Remember these tips for watering your garden:

• Water less frequently but water deeper (this allows the roots of the plants to “dig deep” for water).
• Don’t water during the heat of the day if you can help it. Water, instead, in the cool-of-the-morning so the water doesn’t evaporate but soaks into the soil. Late afternoon or evening watering encourages fungal disease on your plants, so it is not encouraged to water then.
• Don’t water quickly – but rather slowly and allow the water to soak into the soil, not run off the surface. (“Soaker hoses” or sprinklers do this better than people.)
• Once watered, your garden soil should be wet to a depth of at least 6 inches.
• Mulching can slow water evaporation (pine straw is a good choice)
• Water only when needed – during dry times.

A few resources in this section (Proper Watering):

• The LSU AgCenter’s article by Dr. Heather Kirk-Ballard: “Water Wisely” This AgCenter online article is a good reminder about the importance of watering when our plants need it especially because of its effect on their proper growth and root development. Not watering enough will cause your plants to have wilted, yellowish looking leaves, but overwatering can be just as bad and can cause your plants to suffer and even die as well.
• The LSU AgCenter’s article by Dr. Dan Gill: “Water Appropriately During Dry Weather.” This article reminds us that with some of the dry weather that hits Louisiana each summer, it is crucial to water our garden plants as they need it. Yet watering frequently only enough to wet the ground might cause shallow rot systems to develop in our plants – making them more vulnerable in drought conditions.