Watering seems like one of those no-brainer things but can be deceptively complex.  Generally, with lawns, shrubs, and trees, the goal of watering is not only to keep the plant alive but to do so in a way that produces strong roots.  Then, the plant can find water on its’ own and we do not have to pour expensive water on the ground around it. 

Promoting Strong Roots In Ornamentals

We help the roots grow by watering weekly and doing so in a way that really lets the water soak in deep.  Watering one inch all at once to let it go down into the soil.  The roots have to go down too in order to get it.  Besides keeping the trees and shrubs hydrated, roots keep them upright.  Water shallowly and often, and when the storms come, shallow roots cannot hold on and the tree falls through your house.  Not a good thing.

Growing Fast and Prolific Vegetables

With vegetables, however, we want them to grow fast and produce lots of food.  So we water one inch at a time, but more often.  Two or three times a week is good for plants that have started growing.  Seeds and seedlings need water as often as daily.  We want the soil damp but not squishy.  Squishy drowns your seeds and transplants.  Dry starves them.  So damp is best.

Don’t Waste Water

Now, watering a garden, especially in a hot place like Texas, costs money.  Those sprinklers you see watering lawns and gardens waste up to 40 percent of the water that comes out of the tap – it evaporates before it touches your plants.  I do not know about you, but I do not want to pay for twice as much water as is going on my plants.

drip irrigation hose on a gardn plot
Drip irrigation before planting and mulching

Drip Irrigation Is the Best

Drip irrigation is the gold standard of thrifty watering.  It is more expensive the first year when you have to buy the parts, but it really saves money in the long run.  Plus, because the waster is delivered to the roots, disease problems are cut down a great deal.  Wet leaves breed mildew and fungus.  No wet leaves, not nearly as many problems.

Cover of Vegetable Gardening From The Ground Up

Want to learn to garden? My first attempt at gardening ended up in failure. The weeds took over and squeezed the vegetables out. I was very frustrated by this waste of good seed, time, and money. So I became a master gardener and spent a lot of time helping other people avoid or overcome problems in their garden. 

In order to help others garden successfully, I have written a book, Vegetable Gardening from the Ground Up, available in an ebook or a paperback from Amazon. It is also in Kindle Unlimited.