Watering Tips for the Garden

I was taken with the though of  best tips for watering a garden after a chance discussion. Last night at the Bridge club (or the pub afterward) I was asked about the different growth rates of apparently identical plants. Mike and I put it down to water so here are my top tips

Watering Tips

• God’s own water is best! If we could arrange a steady drizzel from dusk to dawn through summer our gardens would be lush and our crops juicy and large. A slow steady rain (rather than a thunderstorm) will build up moisture in the soil without water logging or running off too quickly.
• God’s own water is second best as well. By that I mean rain water caught in a bucket or barrel to be watered in by can or sprayer when needed. I collect rain water off the greenhouse roof (as it may dissolve more chemicals off an asphalt surface). Either way the rain water is softer and more balanced than tap water and is at surrounding temperature when used.
• I try not to use water from the barrel on seedlings to minimise damping off  (rotting caused by microbes).
• Sprinklers or hose pipes need to be given chance to provide a good soaking so I believe in the longer and slower method so the water can really penetrate the top 4 inches or so of soil. A quick splash can do more harm than good bringing roots to the surface.
• It is hard to add fertilizer to rain but when I water I can add a fertilizer to suit my mood (that should read plants). I often splash in a bit of liquid seaweed concentrate or a foliar feed if it isn’t time for a full blow fertilizer application in which case I may use Comfrey liquid.
• Pot plants and containers I prefer to water from the bottom.

Photo source John Morgan