| Watering correctly is an essential part of a healthy garden. But it's impossible to give a specific answer to your question because there are so many variables involved, such as soil type, rainfall, sun exposure, wind, etc. You need to determine what is best for your plants in your situation. It's best to water slowly and deeply, to keep the soil moist to a depth of about one foot for mature flowers and vegetables. With seeds, keep water moist to a depth of about 2-3 inches, slowly increasing as the plants grow. Frequent light waterings that just moisten the top soil can cause an accumulation of salts, which is harmful to the plant roots. Poke a sharp stick or metal rod in the soil. It will move easily through moist soil and stop at dry, hard soil, so you can tell how deep your watering is reaching. Also, a 2-3 inch layer of mulch will help prevent your soil from drying out so quickly and will also maintain cooler soil temperatures so you can water less frequently. |
