Gardeners watering habits vary widely. One group gets busy in their non-garden life and allow
their poor plants to sit dry and thirsty until they’re withered before they get water. Another
sector pampers their plants by drowning them in too much water. With either extreme, you stress
your plants. Weakened plants are the first to fall prey to bugs and diseases and produce fewer
blooms or vegetables.
Watering seems simple, but actually takes a little finesse to do properly. Start by identifying your soil type and measuring the actual amount of water your plants receive.
“Vegetables need an inch of water per week delivered by either rainfall or irrigation. This converts roughly to six gallons per square yard per week,” said Robert Polomski Clemson Extension Horticulturist at Clemson University, “On sandy soils water twice per week 1/2 inch each time. Clay or loam soils can receive 1 inch of water once per week.”
Watering seems simple, but actually takes a little finesse to do properly. Start by identifying your soil type and measuring the actual amount of water your plants receive.
“Vegetables need an inch of water per week delivered by either rainfall or irrigation. This converts roughly to six gallons per square yard per week,” said Robert Polomski Clemson Extension Horticulturist at Clemson University, “On sandy soils water twice per week 1/2 inch each time. Clay or loam soils can receive 1 inch of water once per week.”
