Watering Your Sustainable Garden

Right now we are in dire need of rain in Ohio, and my garden shows it. Looks like it's time for a good watering.... Ninety-five percent of the structure of most plants is composed of water. Almost all of the processes of the plant involves water, and this is why watering is one of the more important aspects of effective gardening for your vegetables. Together with light and carbon dioxide, water helps accelerate the necessary processes needed in effective care of your plants.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With vegetables, you cannot afford to go wrong since the fruits of your garden will provide nourishment to your family as well. Aside from rainfall, in most areas of the country your garden will need supplemental help. Depending on the size of your garden, an irrigation system may be necessary to provide the required amount of water, as natural sources of water, namely, precipitation and underground water systems, are not often sufficient for the plants. The frequency of your watering depends on the average amount of rainfall that falls on the area where your garden lies.

The type of soil also affects water retention. Soils heavy in clay are usually good at holding water, but they also are more prone to runoff, so care must be taken so that the soil absorbs the water you give your garden.  Sandy soils tend to allow more evaporation, and dry out more quickly. The addition of organic matter such as a good compost helps improve the ability of both types of soils to absorb and hold water.

When watering your garden, make sure that you are able to soak the soil thoroughly before doing anything else. Another thing to consider is what time of day to water. Although your plants may look more wilted in the evening after a long day in the hot sun, evening actually isn't the best time to water. Wetting down the plants before dark can encourage mold and fungal growth. However, watering during mid-day also isn't advisable, as during times of strong sunlight, excess moisture can actually cause burns on the leaves. The best time to water is early in the morning, so that water has time to evaporate from leaf surfaces before the sun gets too strong. But sometimes it's unavoidable - due to other scheduling constraints, I usually end up having to water in the evening - but I try to make it early enough that the plants at least start to dry out a little before dark.

"The principle behind drip irrigation is to deliver water directly to the base of the plant, as opposed to indiscriminately watering the ground around the plants. This means that all the water being expended is being used to nourish the plant, while wasting less in the surrounding soil, and losing less to evaporation." (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Often, vegetables picked from well-watered plants last longer than their less watered counterparts, and some plants will not yield a good crop if they've been lacking in water. There are various ways to water your plants: by a sprinkler that is manually controlled or automated, by hose or other means. Depending on the shape and size of your garden, an automated sprinkler may be the best choice. Proper scheduling of the frequency of your water sprinklers' operations will also ensure that your plants will be consistently watered at the best times of day.

It is also recommended that uniform distribution of water be maintained in order to ensure that all the plants in your garden are well-cared for. A drip-irrigation system may work well for this, and these can also help save water. Despite the need for frequent watering, also bear in mind that there is also a need to conserve water, so make sure that there are no leaks that may waste water beyond what your organic garden needs.

A Few Irrigation Options: