Whether you have a full-fledged garden or are raising a few potted tomato vines on the patio, there is a good chance you are concerned about the process of vegetable watering. Too little water will mean the plants don’t grow or produce as they should. At the same time, too much water can lead to killing the plant and destroying any chance you had for a nice crop of fresh vegetables. Fortunately, there are several ways to go about vegetable watering and make sure your plants have just the right amount of water.
One of the simplest processes is to water the plants using a source you control in real time. This can involve the use of a water hose or even a watering can. Garden watering of this type is ideal for the weekend gardener who has several pots of growing vegetables on the patio.
Always check the condition of the soil before watering. If the soil sticks to your fingers and is somewhat gritty, you need little to no water; however, if the soil is like dust and slips off your fingers easily, your plants need water immediately. Use only enough water to moisten the soil thoroughly, but not enough to leave water standing for several minutes after the watering.
For larger gardens, you may want to invest in some sort of plant watering system, such as an irrigation system. This approach can involve digging simple channels to direct a flow of water into the furrows between each row of plants. As long as the flow of the water is regulated properly, it will keep the soil moist and ideal for promoting plant growth.
There is also the option of utilizing some sort of automatic watering system that uses drip methods. One approach is to use drip soakers. This type of vegetable watering can be accomplished using a hose that has been perforated. Simply lay the hose in the furrows of the garden and a small amount of water will drip out of the holes and soak the ground around the plant roots.
Another approach to drip watering is to install a system that is programmed to initiate a steady dripping action based on the condition of the soil. These systems actually read when the soil is too dry, and begin to drip water in measured amounts by each plant. While somewhat expensive, vegetable watering systems of this type are very efficient on water usage, making sure every drop counts.
Lawn and garden shops as well as home supply stores will carry several different vegetable gardening system options, with different options recommended for different sizes of gardens. You can also find some good ideas at farmer’s exchanges and cooperatives, including local tips on vegetable watering that may be helpful in the area where you live. Take some time to evaluate each approach, and identify the watering supplies and techniques that will work best for your garden.
