When to Water a Garden

Yesterday you were out in the garden looking at green leaves, and the beginnings of tiny little veggies. This afternoon you walked out, expecting to revisit your own little Eden and nearly wept at what you saw. Brown, curled leaves as far as the eyes could see, and where did all the baby vegetables go? What foul demon could have done this, you cry to the heavens above? Who has poisoned, murdered your plants? Oh, calm down, The plants might still snap out of it, and there was no poison involved - they simply are feeling dehydrated.

You should expect to water your garden whenever the plants are feeling a little dry. You can tell my sticking a finger into the soil near the base of the plant. If your finger comes back dry and clean, you should definitely water. If the finger check reveals a bit of moistness, you might be able to hold off a little bit. Either way, knowing when the best time to water your garden is very important knowledge and will differ depending on the area you live in.

Experts suggest watering your garden in the early evening hours after the sun goes down. And while that is a good idea for some parts of the country, it might be an issue in areas where the days are hot but the nights are cool. Cool night air plus damp soil can breed fungal growth. In those areas, it would be a better idea to water thoroughly in the early morning hours before the sun comes up for the day. If cool nights are not an issue, then watering in the evening is optimal, so that the plants can absorb the water after the stress of the sun's heat.

Thorough watering is just as important as timing- so make sure that your water is not hit and miss, and make sure that you direct the water near the base of the plants. Only water when the garden needs it, and when Mother Nature will not cooperate, and do not over water. Water is just as important as sunlight and good soil for your plant's strong, healthy growth. The more you care for your garden, the more rewards you will reap in the form of delicious vegetables.

Just as dehydration is dangerous for humans, it can be even more so for plants. Your plants are busy growing fruits, vegetables or beautiful flowers for you- shouldn't you do everything that you can to help them accomplish this task?