Is Your Garden Properly Watered: 4 Important Points

Recently we told you how to protect your garden from heat, and today we'll go into more detail about watering. These tips we picked up from Western landscape designers: take note.

When to water?

Early in the morning, when the air is still not warm. As the temperature gradually rises, moisture on the leaves will slowly dry up.

If you water your garden in the evening, there's a chance that the foliage won't dry up. And during the day, moisture will evaporate before it reaches the plant roots.

And how often?

It depends on weather conditions: there's no point in watering the garden every day if the week has been rainy.

There are special irrigation systems for watering that automatically turn on at set intervals. But it's better to buy a smart controller that will automatically adjust the watering schedule based on weather forecasts.

How long?

Much longer than you think. If you turn on the sprinkler for 10–15 minutes, it will only moisten the plant leaves. Meanwhile, the roots stay dry. According to experts, the soil should be moist to a depth of 15–30 cm. That means you need to water plants for at least an hour.

And lastly: how to water?

The most effective method of watering is drip irrigation: the water has time to soak into the root system. If the flow is too strong and fast, the moisture will just run deeper into the soil.

Drip irrigation is the ideal choice if you use mulch (a strong flow will wash it away from the soil). Also, you can save at least 30% of water if you give up sprinklers. Drip irrigation kits on the market usually cost 3,000–5,000 rubles.

If you use a regular hose, buy a special nozzle with a diffuser to soften the stream (the same principle applies to a regular watering can). Or make small holes in the hose and run it along the perimeter of your entire garden so that water slowly drips down.