For most people, the answer is actually no! But without understanding the why and how, then a sprinkle of the hose might feel like it is enough, or watching your sprinkler half-heartedly spray some water every now and then is enough.
But if you are on a mission to make sure that your garden looks its best – it all starts with making sure that it gets the right amount of water.
Here are some tips to make sure your garden is looking lush and healthy.
Routine
A regular watering routine is an essential part of good plant care – without that, your plants and lawn will wilt or be drowned. If you don’t have the time to make sure your garden is getting watered, then it is a good idea to have a sprinkler in place. And for those who have a sprinkler but aren’t seeing a healthy lawn, it might be worth considering getting it inspected to make sure it is working correctly and getting a water pump repair or a replacement if you need it.
Deep
Many people are guilty of this one! It feels like you are standing and watering the plants forever, and there might even be some water sitting on the surface – but more often than not, it isn’t deep enough to reach the roots. To check if you have managed to get the water to penetrate the soil, grab a pencil or a screwdriver, and it should easily slide into the soil by about 6 inches.
The base of each plant needs to have at least a few minutes of water on it, preferably in a mist, not in a full hose spray.
Bottom, not Top
A common issue when watering the garden is that most of the spay will go on the top of the leaves and stay there. Sure, it will drip down and land on the group eventually, but it isn’t really enough. Watering should be done more at the base of almost every plant, as this is in the root zone. Not only that, but watering from the top can promote fungal diseases, or it can burn the leaves if it is in full sunlight.
Mulch
Helping the plants retain moisture can be tricky, but with a layer of mulch around the base of the plant, the moisture will get retained, and the plant will soak more of it up over time. There are a couple of options you can use to help; straw, leaves, wood chips, and bark chips all work great for this purpose.
A bonus of using this method is it can help prevent weeds from growing around your plants, and it can help to insulate the plants from temperature drops.
Whenever possible, try to make sure that the water isn’t coming out at high speed. Using a different nozzle or pressing your finger to cover the hose slightly can create a more gentle spray. This protects the plants and can stop damage, too.
For many people, trying to get their lawns and plants looking healthy is part of a bigger plan; if that sounds familiar, here are more tips for you: Budget Ideas To Transform Your Garden For Less.
