Visiting gardens of friends last month I was shocked how dry their garden beds were. Spring flowers were already starting to wilt before they would bloom... When I mentioned it to them they answered totally surprised: "Why water during cool spring weather?" I grabbed a garden tool to dig into the compact soil - and showed them that it was totally dry - down to at least 10 inches.
Why Start Watering in Early Spring
Much of the snow in Spring does not melt, but rather evaporate. That means the garden soil is not thoroughly moistened. Often the air is rather dry during the Spring months. For example, in the Ottawa, Canada, area the humidity level was for almost two months (April and May of this year) well under 50%, often under 40%. Spring is the time when plants start to build new roots, buds, leaves, and flowers - in one word the most important time of the year. And watering then as important as it is in the hottest summer months.
Additionally, many flower beds are in the vicinity or even under huge trees. Feeder roots of these trees are near the surface and they "steal" moisture that flowers and shrubs then are missing. Even if it rains, large trees prevent the water to reach thirsty soil underneath.
Your Garden Soil
Easily test if the soil needs to be watered: Grab a handful of the soil, press it into a ball, and then open your hand. If the ball stays, your soil is fine. But if the ball falls apart or cannot even be built, waste no time to thoroughly water.
Before we go into the watering tips, let me talk about your soil: Healthy, well-composted soil retains moisture. Add composted chicken, cow, or sheep manure - in case you don't make your own garden compost. And mulch heavily with natural cedar mulch. This doesn't only keep the weeds at bay, evens out temperatures, but also holds the soil underneath moist.
Don't Drink for Two Weeks?
Would you be still alive? Most likely you wouldn't live anymore after a couple of days... But then, why would anyone not water their plants for two months?
I saw this first-hand at a garden in which three lilac bushes have been planted last year. They bloomed beautifully by then - but were totally dead last week (in early June). This year's leaf and flower buds were totally dried out. Asking the garden owner how often he had watered the lilacs this spring, he answered: "Not yet, it wasn't really hot so far". I was stunned by his answer... Well, it's his garden!
How Often to Water Your Plants?
In the flower bed, two watering sessions per week are usually sufficient: better to water less often but with plenty of water rather than a little water often. Should the temperatures climb over 80 degrees F, water at least three times per week. Newly planted flowers need to be watered every day during the first two weeks after planting. The same for flowers in window boxes or small containers.
Best to water early in the morning before the sun rises. When you water cooled soil, less water evaporates than it would on hot soil during the day.
Don't water in the evening and keep leaves and blooms dry to avoid diseases. Wet leaves become diseased leaves. Kept wet overnight, leaf-mold diseases may result.
Suitable watering means that the water must sufficiently reach the roots. Water the soil around the plants, not overhead the flowers! Water evenly around the plant for a balanced well-developed root system. Always watering at only one root point leads to one-sided root growth and thereby to poorer nutrient absorption in the soil. Therefore, always water around the plant.
Watering Made Easy
Are you weary of dragging a heavy garden hose through your property? No question, it's no fun and I totally agree with you! However, for a number of years, there are light-weight garden hoses available that are expanding (and shrinking after you turn off the water). For me, it’s the perfect garden hose: extremely light-weight and 100 ft long. Featherlight: I could carry the complete hose with one small finger.
This hose expands 3 times its length when water pressure is on. It contracts to its original length when pressure is off. And best of all, it never tangles, twists or kinks, and is easy to store in small places.
Should you not have enough time in your busy life, a sprinkler to water the garden is better than nothing. A sprinkler with a built-in mechanical timer lets you leave for work in the morning but stops the watering at the time you have chosen. There are also digital timers available - you don't even need to go out in the garden. They start at the set time without your help.
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Conclusion:
There is really no point in letting your garden plants suffer! These days it is easy and fast to irrigate your garden beds, shrubs, and trees. With the right equipment, you don't have to lift a finger to keep your plants safe and healthy! No excuses!
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