- Greetings from the garden!
My name is Ben and today we're gonna look at
when and how to water your garden
and look at some water-saving tips.
So, let's jump into the garden
and we'll get started.
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Our goal as gardeners is to moderate soil moisture
as much as we can.
We don't want it to fluctuate too rapidly
because our plants won't appreciate
being too wet or too dry too often.
But before we look at when and how to water,
let's look at a few water-saving tips.
First, adding and mixing compost into your soil
will help it retain more water,
in addition to providing a boost of nutrients.
The best time to add compost
is in spring before planting or in fall
as you're putting your garden to bed for the winter.
Second, adding mulch like straw or chopped leaves
will help insulate your soil
and prevent it from drying out as quickly during the summer.
An added bonus: mulching also helps keep weeds down.
Third, you can install a rain barrel
to capture and reuse rainwater
or consider using a soaker hose, which uses less water
and applies it right to the plant's roots.
Almost nothing is lost to evaporation.
How do we know when we need to water?
Well, you'll want to start by making a habit
of observing your soil,
especially the top 1 to 2 inches.
Think of your soil like a crust of bread.
The outer layer may be dry
but right inside may be moist.
To more accurately observe your soil's moisture
using your finger, make a narrow trench about 2 inches deep.
If the soil is lighter colored or dusty below 2 inches,
it's time to water.
If the soil is darker colored, moist, and not dusty,
then you can hold off for another day or two.
So, let's imagine our soil is dry.
How much water should we add?
There are different ways to water
and ideally, we want to provide the equivalent
of 1 inch of rain directly to the soil.
Simply getting the leaves wet won't cut it.
First, before you break out the hose or watering can,
check the forecast.
If rain is predicted within the next 24 hours,
consider waiting and Mother Nature may do the work for you.
However, if your plants are already wilting
and the chance of rain is below 50%,
it's better to be safe than sorry
and add water as soon as you can.
Second, avoid watering during the hottest part of the day
if you can.
Water can act like a magnifying glass
and actually intensifies hot summer sun
and can harm your plants.
You'll also lose more water to evaporation
during the afternoon.
Watering in the morning or evening
are your best options.
If you're growing in a container,
the same 1-inch rule still applies
because containers can dry out more quickly
than when you're growing in the ground.
It's a good idea to add water to your container
until there's about 1 inch of standing water
on top of the soil.
Wait 3 to 5 minutes for it to soak in
and then water again.
This will help to ensure your container
is thoroughly and evenly moist.
Well, sprinklers are one option for watering our garden
but remember your water bill also
and that no two sprinklers are the same.
We don't wanna waste water if we can help it.
Remember, our goal is 1 inch of rainfall
each time we water.
An easy way to test this
is to set an open and clean tuna can or something similar
out in your garden.
Pay attention to how long it takes to fill up
the first time you use a sprinkler.
You don't need to buy a rain gauge
for this experiment.
Well, there you have it.
Now, you know the basics
for keeping your garden watered and happy,
and following these tips will help your garden thrive.
Thanks for joining me and we'll see you in the garden next time.
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