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Summer garden watering
by Christine Yesko
When Mother Nature turns up the garden’s heat, ensure you’re watering your plants properly. Good watering habits will also help make the most of every precious drop. Here are some tips to help ensure your plants survive the heat of summer.
Test the soil with your finger. Poke down a few inches near the plants to feel for moisture, even when the top part of the soil seems dry. Water in the morning. This will allow the water to soak in before it evaporates from the heat and dry winds. Late afternoon is second best, just be sure the foliage will dry out before nighttime. Water at the base of the plant with a watering wand, long-neck watering can, soaker hose, or a drip system. Avoid getting the leaves, fruits, or vegetables wet to help prevent diseases that thrive on moisture, like powdery mildew.
Plants like squash, cucumbers, coral bells, and pumpkins have large leaves and lose water quickly, so providing a shade barrier is helpful. Fruits and vegetables need consistent water to produce well. Don’t let them go completely before watering them again because this can cause problems like blossom end rot or cracked tomatoes.
Containers dry out faster than in the ground and will need more frequent watering, especially if placed in full sun or exposed to wind. Plants benefit more from slow and deep watering than a quick splash. Make sure you’re watering deep enough to reach the root ball. If summer vacation is going to keep you away for more than a day or two, if possible set up an automatic timer.
Also, self-watering pots for your containers help. Recycle plastic bottles as a deep watering system. Poke holes in the empty bottles and bury them in the ground next to the plants with the top opening exposed. Add water to the bottle through the top and the water will leach out deeper into the soil. Hope these hints will help while we get through this summer heat.
Stay hydrated and get those hands dirty.
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