Watering Tips Revisited

by Janet Richards

Recently, I pulled out an educational poster on garden watering tips that Tilth made for the Whidbey Island Fair a few years ago. This led to an interesting discussion among some Tilth members. Below are the original seven tips, including some new perspectives. I’m sure you could add some perspectives from your own gardening experience.

Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses wherever possible instead of overhead sprinklers.

Overhead sprinklers should be avoided. But some people may like hand watering over drip irrigation, and that’s a lovely way to make sure the farmer casts a shadow in the garden every day.

Water in the morning to minimize evaporation.

Read what Gary has to say about morning watering in the article It’s All About Water in this issue. He finds that watering (by hand) at 3 p.m. keeps the soil moist all night. In my garden, I find that morning watering also evaporates quickly, but the hot, late afternoon sun can beat down on the beds, so I need to wait till 6 p.m. to start watering. Don Krafft, our Land Steward (and Master Gardener) says that the traditional advice to water in the morning is based on keeping plant leaves and soil surface dry before the cooler nighttime temperatures set in. The cool and damp conditions can promote fungal diseases. 

So, when to water depends on how your garden is situated, how close your plants are planted, what type of plants you have and your watering style. Of course, how much rain we have in a season can make a big difference to susceptibility to fungal infestations. Observe what works best in your garden from year to year.

Avoid watering leaves. Wet leaves increase the chance of fungal issues.

In general, this is true. Gary points out that some plants like to have wet leaves, but they are an exception.

Focus on watering the soil. Remember, it’s the roots that need access to water, not the leaves.

We can’t argue with this, even for plants who don’t mind wet leaves.

Put mulch over the soil in the entire garden to reduce moisture loss and reduce weeds.

Again, mulch or the cover of living plants will keep soil moist. Or use both. Mulch adds organic matter and helps build soil.

Water roots deeply and thoroughly, but only when needed. It’s time to water when the soil is dry at a depth of two inches.

Anza Muenchow, farmer, educator and Master Gardener, says she always checks the soil as she pulls out the roots of the weeds around crops. Is the soil moist down a couple inches? If not, it’s time to water. Don’t let the leaves wilt before watering, as this will stress the plant.

Anza also reminds us to water the compost pile as often as you do the soil. It should be as damp as a wrung-out sponge.

Add compost to the topsoil to improve water retention.

There you go. There’s nothing better for soil than moist compost.