How to Get Proper Moisture Control in Your Garden

It is very easy for many of us, myself included, to get a little carried away with the garden and yard. It is very easy to find herbs, vegetables, and flowers that would look so amazing in our yard, but they just don't seem to bloom as brilliantly or produce as much as they really should. One of the biggest reasons for this and many other problems revolve around watering. Whether it is a lack of proper drainage, overwatering, or not enough water, there is a fine balance that must be maintained to ensure proper plant growth. Some of these problems are simple to fix, while others can be a little more difficult. Knowing the proper levels of water and the natural habitat of your plants can go a long way to alleviating this problem, but there are a few more things that you will want to keep in mind.

One key thing to keep in mind is how your garden is set up. When it comes to overwatering, this usually occurs due to poor drainage. If you water on a schedule, it is very easy for water to build up "drown" the roots. You may find that when you attempt to space out your watering a little, you are not providing enough. There are also several plant diseases and fungi that can grow when the water pools. By ensuring that you have proper drainage, you can rid yourself of a myriad of problems. Whether you are using a pot to plant in or a huge garden, the solution is the same. You will need to dig below where the roots are (or just start with an empty pot if it is indoors) and set up some layers to your soil. You will want a thin layer of gravel along the bottom. This will allow the water to pool a little so that your plants can drink it, but keeps it off of their roots so they do not get over watered or develop an unwanted growth. A layer of sand or moss needs to go on top of the rocks. This will slow the drainage a little and also acts as a wick to help bring the water up to the plants, while keeping them relatively dry. On top of this, you should use your topsoil. This combination will keep the water on the plant long enough to provide the benefits, while allowing the excess to run off and not cause harm.

Another big problem with watering is not enough. There are several things on the market that can ensure you have enough water on your plants. One device that is quite good at this is the little glass tubes with the ball on top. You fill these with water and the moisture level in the ground will dictate when the water comes out. If you have proper drainage, you will want to be very careful though. Do not go past the topsoil, or the whole thing will be empty in about fifteen minutes. If you keep these little watering globes in the topsoil though, they can be a great way to monitor the water that your plants receive and they will ensure that your plants are properly watered. You can also check the planting instructions or Wikipedia for the proper watering amounts that your specific plants need. If you have some more arid climate plants like cacti and Joshua Trees, you will only need to soak the ground once a month. If you have more temperate climate plants like ferns birds of paradise, you will need to water daily.

One of the best things that you can do to ensure the proper watering of your plants is to go native. By using native plants, or ones that grow in the identical conditions where you live, then you do not really have to water at all. You can be assured that the soil around you is conducive to the plant's growth, and that they receive the proper amounts of water. The only time you will really need to water them is when there is a drought. Aside from extreme conditions, your plants will be able to thrive naturally with minimal care needed from you. There is a large variety of plants that are still beautiful that grow naturally in your climate. You can also find several fruits and vegetables no matter where it is that you live. This can not only be an easier garden for you to maintain, but it can be a fun project for the whole family to discover new plants and the foods that you can make from the new vegetables.

The biggest thing that you need to keep in mind is knowing your plants and soil. If the ground feels dry, add a little water. If you can squeeze water from the soil, or it looks like a huge mud pie, you may want to lay off the hose for a little while. You can also start to see the signs from your plants. If they are a little droopy and brittle looking, they need water. There are several cues that you can look for and they vary by plant. If you ask a gardener at your local Home Depot or Lowe's, they are usually more than willing to help you out a little. It really comes down to knowing what you have planted and what those plants require.