How to Water Properly
One of the most basic needs of plants is water. This need for fresh water can either make or break one’s garden. If you’re just starting out in organic gardening and still clueless as to how much you should water your plants, pay close attention to this chapter.
When it comes to watering plants, there are things that you have to consider. Some of these include the following:
1. The type of plants you have
There are plants that are able to retain more moisture compared to others. Because of this, these plants are able to survive on less water and can even tolerate drought. One example of this type of plant are succulents.
Learn how to determine the kind of plants that you have. It will help in giving you an idea as to how much and how frequently you should water them.
2. Capacity of your soil to retain moisture
If your plants are growing in sandy soil, they’ll need to be watered more. Aside from greater water volume, plants in sandy soil also need more frequent watering. On the other hand, plants in well-mulched soil don’t need as much water, because a well-mulched soil tends to hold water better. It is advisable for those with sandy soil to consider mulching.
3. Climate
Another thing to consider when it comes to watering your plants is your climate. If you are experiencing frequent rainfall, then you have to minimize the times that you water your plant or you’ll probably end up overwatering it. Overwatered plants will turn out to be brown and shriveled up. What’s more, they have soft and limp leaves.
Aside from considering these factors, it’s also important to know when to water your plants. As a rule of thumb, you should water your plants in the morning. Morning serves as the best time to water the plants as this time of the day can provide more time for the plant to absorb the water and handle the heat, cold or energy needed for producing chlorophyll. You should steer away from watering your plants in the evening or late afternoon. During these times of the day, the temperature is cooler, making it more conducive for mildews, molds, and all kinds of pests to thrive on your plants.
If you want to check whether you are providing sufficient water for your plants, you can do a simple Squeeze Test. Grab a handful of soil, and if it crumbles apart when you open your fingers, it is dry. If, however, it holds together without being packed too much, then the moisture in your soil is just right. You’ll know that your soil is too wet when if forms a ball with well-defined finger marks. It is way too wet if it forms a soft ball and free water appears when you squeeze or shake it.