Community ClicksWith our “rainless” season fast approaching, it’s important to consider how to water your lawn and garden properly.
Applying water deeply and thoroughly is the key to proper watering. Generally, established trees, shrubs, lawns and ground covers only need to be irrigated thoroughly once a week during our dry period (and some established plants might need even less than that).
On the other hand, those planted this year, as well as bedding plants and vegetables may need to be watered thoroughly two to three times a week.
Hand watering plants may be enjoyable, but this shallow watering does not provide sufficient water to the plants. Water should penetrate at least 6 to 8 inches into the soil, and most of us do not have the time or patience to apply enough water to penetrate that deeply.
However, sprinklers, soaker hoses and drip irrigation are good options.
Sprinklers should be left on long enough to apply about an inch of water, which should penetrate about 6 inches into the average soil. To determine how long it takes to apply 1 inch of water, set out several empty cans and time how long it takes for 1 inch of water to collect in them.
Remember that overhead watering as from a sprinkler can be detrimental to many plants and may encourage diseases.
Soaker hoses and drip irrigation are good for beds and should be laid close to the base of the plants to be watered. They apply water very slowly; so the first time you use them, check how deeply moisture has penetrated by digging down with a trowel periodically to decide how long to leave them on.
Newly planted trees are watered best by laying the end of a hose near the base and turning the water on to a trickle for about 20 to 30 minutes to saturate the tree’s root zone. The roots of established trees may extend some distance from the trunk. It is best to water them between the dripline — the imaginary line on the soil that corresponds to the outward edge of the leaves — and a few feet from the trunk or use a deep watering probe.
Hand watering is ideal for plants growing in containers and hanging baskets. Apply water until it runs out of the drainage holes.
Plants in containers may dry out very rapidly during hot weather. Use the “weight” test by cupping the pot in your hand to determine when to water next.
The best time to water is early morning so your plants are well supplied with water before the heat of the day. This timing will also allow the foliage to dry before nightfall, making them less susceptible to disease problems, and minimize the water lost to evaporation.
If plants are wilted, however, water immediately.
Don’t forget, it is possible to over-water plants. Over-watering can be just as bad as or worse than under-watering. If you water properly, you will not need to, and should not, water every day.
Proper watering is not that hard; it simply requires watching the weather, paying attention to your plants and common sense.
Bill Wrobel is a certified Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardener.
For more gardening information, attend the Class Act Educational Series at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, located at 2711 Woodcock Road in Sequim. These free public educational events are held at 10 a.m. on the first and third Saturdays of each month. On Saturday, July 16, longtime Master Gardener Rosalie Preble will talk about propagation from cuttings.
