Watering Needs

• Established gardens require 1 inch of rainfall a week to maintain optimum growth and fruit production. When nature does not provide adequate rainfall, gardens must be watered to promote healthy growth. Most gardeners attempt to supply the needed water via a hose equipped with a spray nozzle. Although this method provides water, without monitoring the moisture in the soil, it often falls short of providing the amount of water needed. To be effective, the soil should be saturated to a depth of 5 to 6 inches once a week.
  
  Frequent light watering with a hose may provide a quick drink to plants, reviving those that have wilted, but is inefficient for long-term garden care. Light watering that wets the top inch or two of soil encourages shallow root systems that result in weak plants. Soaker hoses placed in the garden provide a slow release of water through the holes in the hose and can be left to run unattended for short periods. The amount of time required to water a garden with a soaker hose depends on the size of the garden, soil conditions and weather conditions. Always check that soil is saturated to the appropriate depth before moving the hose.
  
  

Early Morning

• Water plants early in the morning before plants face the stress of summer heat. Not only does this provide the water necessary to prevent wilting, early morning watering reduces evaporation and water loss to winds and heat.
  
  

Late Afternoon

• Late afternoon, once temperatures have dropped, is also a good time to water plants, but be sure there is time for foliage to dry before nightfall to prevent fungal disease. Gardens watered with soaker hoses can be watered in the late evening as the leaves do not get wet and the risk of fungal infections is not present.
  
  

Midday Myth

• Avoid watering plants during the heat of the day, unless plants show signs of severe stress. According to research conducted by Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D., from Washington State University, the threat of sun damage to foliage after midday watering is largely myth, but watering in extreme heat does increase water loss due to rapid evaporation. To conserve water, either early morning or late afternoon watering is the most effective time.