WATER Your Watering Habits?

What Should Summer Watering Look Like?‍

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             Watering your plants seems like a straightforward, mundane task so we end up putting it off until the plants are slumped over begging for a drink. The number one plant diagnostic problem Wedel’s sees during the summer months are plants that were underwatered and come in looking like a crispy fried wand from Harry Potter. We’ve all been there! Over and underwatering plants is something we are all guilty of at some point in our green thumb journey. Part of that journey is learning how and when to water, how much water is necessary, what tools can make your life easier, and the signs your plant is trying to convey to you.
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               Let’s start with how to identify a thirsty plant. Depending on the plant it may have different signals that it needs a drink. Annuals and perennials tend to look wilted, and the leaves will look less plump. Larger trees and shrubs may not show signs of dehydration until a good watering is long overdue. Certain plants like succulents will start looking shriveled up. Check the soil! If you pour a little water on what appears to be dry soil and it sucks it right up, it needs water! If the soil looks darker and damp and you pour a little water it will tend to pool before being absorbed, that means there is plenty of moisture already present.
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               Checking the soil and plant are important, but won’t my sprinkler system keep that maintained? NO. And here’s why: all root systems are different! Most grasses we use for our thick green lawns only have a root system of a few inches! So, if you have a sprinkler system set to keep your grass green, it will only administer 1”-3” of water a day. Meanwhile, your flowers, accent grasses, shrubs and trees have root systems that span between 2’-12’ (or more) in depth! These majesties will need to be watered for anywhere between 20-60mins with a trickling hose. Think of it this way, if your watering habits are hurried and brief, your roots will stay where the water is and create a weak, shallow root system. Whereas, giving deep thorough watering will promote roots to grow downwards towards the water and help establish stronger healthier plants.
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               That may seem like overkill, but this year in Kalamazoo we had 4.5” of rain in all of June with an average temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately for a lot of us, we don’t always have the time to water carefully every day. The key here is to work smarter, not harder. There are a lot of tools designed to make watering easier, more efficient and more effective.

Let’s take a look:

Soaker Hoses

·     Soaker hoses are magical because just like regular gardening hoses, they come in a variety of lengths and can easily be moved around and bent to accommodate curves.

·     Unlike regular hoses, soaker hoses are designed with the intention of allowing water to slowly seep out the sides of the hose.

·     Slower and direct application will limit the amount of wasted/evaporated water and in turn, lower water bills.

·     They cover large areas at once! Unlike sprinklers and revolver nozzles, you can soak larger areas at once.

·     They’re an inexpensive alternative to drip irrigation and the flexibility of use makes this a wonderful short term/adjustable choice.

·     They’re low maintenance! Just lay the  soaker hose where you want, turn on the water, set a timer, and have time to weed or fold that pesky laundry!

‍Watering Cans

·     The good ol’ trusty watering can. They come in a myriad of styles, designs, sizes and more. Carrying the weight of the watering can may be easy for some, but the smaller sizes accommodate for weightlifting restrictions. However, that also means more trips.

·     They’re grand for smaller spaces or for those who don’t have a spigot for a hose.

·     With full attention on the individual task, you have better control over how much water is being applied.

Drip Irrigation

·     Drip irrigation is one long hose with many small hoses, and usually attached stakes, branching out in specific increments.

·     It is a phenomenal option for those who have larger spaces that need consistent and regular watering like hanging baskets or greenhouses.

·     Semi-permanent, this system takes a bit to set up, but requires next to no attention afterwards.

·     Timers are available to control the duration and time of day the watering occurs.

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Mulch

·     Yes, mulch! We may not think of it as a tool, but we use it for many other reasons besides aesthetic.

·     Mulch is fantastic for trapping and retaining moisture.

·     A mulched plant (2”-4” deep) can help keep soil temp’s cooler helping reduce moisture loss.

·     Inversely, it can keep root systems insulated as the weather cools off.

·     Mulch helps keep weeds at bay.

How To Choose           

     Now that we know our options, let’s discuss how to choose what tools are best for you! Learn your habits and limits. Yanking a 100’ hose may not be as easy as it used to be, or maybe yo u are tired of making trips to refill your watering can. The more unnecessary steps you can cut out, the more likely you are to stick it out and have success. Think about what degree of permanence you are looking for. Are you willing to wind up the long hose every day after you spent an hour or more in the gardens? Do you want a system that you only have to set up once per year but may be more intricate to start? Once you think about those factors, think about the special needs of your garden. A 25’ soaker hose will only benefit the plants within those 25’ of the spigot, you don’t want to forget the rock garden in the back of your property.

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