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HOW DO YOU WATER?
BY GEORGE EDGAR You may ask, “What
is the big deal? If I want to water the lawn or flower garden I just go
out and turn on the hose, or the underground sprinkler, and water. Isn’t
that ok?” To have a healthy lawn, flower garden, vegetable garden, or
house plants it is helpful to know a few basic facts about watering.
1.
know when and how to water!!! Water your lawn, garden, and houseplants only
when needed. Learn about your plants and how much water they need. Some
like lots of water and some are very drought resistant and can be over
watered very easy. Save the tag from every plant you purchase so if you
forget how to take care of the plant, you have the name and can ask an
expert how much water and fertilizer the plant needs, and how often. To avoid watering
problems, plant flowers and shrubs together that need or like lots of
water, then plant flowers and shrubs together that are drought tolerant.
That way you do not waste water
on plants that do not like a lot of water. Plants and lawns under stress
from over watering or under watering are more likely to have disease and
insect problems. The same holds true for containers and planter boxes.
For maximum growth and flowering, always put plants together that have
the same or similar water requirements. For hanging baskets,
make sure the whole root ball is soaked when you water.
This may mean taking it down and thoroughly soaking it in a dish
pan or bucket. Do not just pour some water on the plants every so often.
Hanging baskets dry out fast. A water wand works very well and is used
by most garden centers. Run it slowly and water thoroughly. You will
probably have to water every day and twice on some hot days. Watering in
the flower and vegetable garden is best done with a soaker hose that
keeps the water only where needed.
DON’T
WASTE WATER!!!
2.
do not
African Violets
especially do not like water on their leaves. Get a small watering
container with a long spout so you can water into the container. I have
an old dishpan I use for my small containers such as Christmas cactus,
Geraniums, Amaryllis, and even the Umbrella Palm. I put the pot and all
in the dishpan and then add water until the water level is part way up
on the pot. I make sure the root ball is thoroughly soaked. This may
mean leaving the pot in the water for 15 or 20 minutes. I do not water
again until the soil is dry about 1 inch deep. Usually, I put my finger
in the soil and if it is dry as deep as my second knuckle, then I water
again.
3.
OUTSIDE Do not overhead water after
Fungous
and other diseases need a drop of water on the leaf going into the cool
evening in order to inoculate the plant. Give the plant time to dry
before sunset. Better yet, in the flower and vegetable garden, water
close to the ground with the hose or a soaker hose. Tomato blight and
black spot on roses primarily comes from water splashing up on the
leaves as the disease spores are in the soil. A soaker hose does not get
the leaf wet, and there is less evaporation during application. In my
vegetable garden I have a soaker hose in each row with a timer at the
faucet. That way, before I go to work, or to coffee, I can connect the
garden hose to a soaker hose, turn on the faucet, and have that row
watered by the time I get home. A timer also helps me not over water.
When I work in the garden sometimes my 83 years catches up with me and I
forget the water is on. The timer turns it off on time and I do not
overwater.
4.
HOW TO WATER TURFGRASS!!!
According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Extension Service and the Iowa State University Department of
Horticulture, Turfgrass requires approximately 1 to 1 ½ inches of water
per week. The actual amount
of water required is largely dependent upon soil type, weather
conditions, and how much fertilizer you use. When irrigating Turfgrass,
the general rule is to apply 1/2 inch two times a week and when we have
really hot summer weather three times a week. Make sure the water soaks
in and doesn’t run off. Turfgrass plants that have been correctly
watered are deeply-rooted and can withstand stressful weather conditions
much better than shallow-rooted plants that are a result of lightly
watering every day. Sprinklers at the
end of a hose or underground sprinklers are the best way to water a
lawn. Going out with the hose in your hand and watering your grass with
a Water Wand only invites problems and promotes shallow rooted grass
that will dry up in the hot summer if you miss a day. Use a soaker hose
for a narrow area such as the strip between the sidewalk and the street. You probably don’t
even know how much water is put on with each cycle of an automatic
system. Knowing this is helpful when you have to water in fertilizer or
a pesticide. The amount of water applied by your hose end sprinkler or
your underground sprinkler can be determined by placing 4 or more rain
gauges or small tuna cans or cat food cans within the spray pattern.
Water until you get the desired amount of water in the can. You then
know how long to run your hose sprinkler, or how to set your underground
sprinkler system. 5. DON’T WASTE WATER!!!
Watering in the heat of the day with a sprinkler that is throwing
water in the air is wasteful as quite a bit evaporates before it reaches
the ground. On a hot day, half the water may be wasted. Keep the
sprinkler low to the ground. And do not water so it runs off and into
the street. Also remember that the more you fertilize, the more you have
to water, and the more you have to mow.
Fertilize and water only when
needed!!! Many homeowners call
the sprinkler company in the spring. They come over, turn on the
system, set the timer to go on three or four times per week, and check
all the heads. Too often the homeowner then forgets about it until fall,
drains the system, and turns it off. The system waters the lawn whether
it is needed or not, and sometimes even when it is raining. That wastes
money and water, both valuable resources. At least once a month turn on
your system manually and check each sprinkler head.
CHECK YOUR SPRINKLER HEADS AT
LEAST MONTHLY
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