How to Water a Garden: 10 Watering Tips to Help Plants Thrive

Most vegetable plants need frequent watering; a little water every single day. However, depending on the climate, the season, the contents of the soil, and the plant itself, these needs may change. Here are 10 tips to help you better understand the watering needs of your plants:

1. 1. Pay attention to the signs. When a plant needs water, it tells you. There are two ways to tell when a plant is under-watered: the dryness of the soil and the state of the leaves. Underwatered leaves will curl in on themselves and start drooping. An adequately watered leaf, by contrast, has strength in it, and the stalk is stiff. After wilting leaves, another good way to tell if your plants need water is to stick your hand in the soil, a couple of inches down, and see if it’s dry. If it is, it needs water. If it’s not, hold off.
2. 2. Don’t panic about wilt. While wilting leaves can be a signal that a plant isn’t getting enough water, it can also be a common mid-day slump, when temperatures are often at their hottest. Before watering at the first sign of limp leaves, wait and see if they’ve restored themselves by evening, then water as needed.
3. 3. Create a watering schedule. Overwatering can be detrimental to your plant because the excess water fills the air pockets in the soil that the root system needs to survive and thrive. Excess water and moisture also promote fungal diseases and root rot. Establish a watering schedule to keep track of which plants you’ve watered and when you watered them to avoid doubling up by mistake. For some plants, withholding water or even using less water for a few days can also be a way to force blooms.
4. 4. Water in the morning. If possible, make watering a part of your morning routine. Watering early allows plants time to dry off any damp foliage before mildew and fungal issues have a chance to develop. Watering at night right before the temperature dips puts them at risk for longer because the soil doesn’t have a chance to dry, which can pave the way for rot and disease.
5. 5. Water after rainfall. Watering after rainfall may feel counterintuitive, but piggybacking off of a light rainstorm (around a half-inch) can be a way to encourage a deep soak. Pause your regular water schedule after a deep soak, until the top few inches of the plant are dry to prevent rot and disease. Installing a rain gauge can help clue you in to how much water your plants are actually getting.
   
6. 6. Prepare your site with drainage in mind. Whether sowing your vegetable garden in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground, soil moisture is key to the success of your plants. Moderately moist soil is the sweet spot, and part of achieving it means getting familiar with the kind of soil type you’re working with. Soils with a high-clay content are effective at holding moisture and nutrients, but they tend to drain poorly, leading to fungal diseases. Adding organic matter like compost to your planting site will help sandy soil hold water and nutrients, and improve the drainage of clay soil, making it easier to work with.
7. 7. Use proper drainage. Proper drainage is essential when growing plants inside of a container. A lack of drainage can lead to overwatering, which, in turn, leads to disease or rot. If your container didn’t come with drainage holes, or you’re using a found object such as a planter, use a drill to give create drainage holes. (A general rule of thumb when watering container plants is to stop when water runs from the bottom of the pot.)
8. 8. Water from the base. To protect new leaves from developing mildew, avoid wetting the foliage, and water directly onto the soil surface instead. This is easy to do by hand with a watering can, but if you want to automate things, opt for a soaker hose, or drip irrigation system (a system of tubing that directs small quantities of water precisely where it’s needed, preventing the water waste associated with sprinkler systems).
9. 9. Mulch is your friend. By mulching—covering the soil with organic matter—not only do weeds have a harder time germinating, but the earth is kept cool and moist. (Without it, water is more likely to evaporate from the soil in particularly hot weather.) In cooler seasons when less water is needed, mulch helps to insulate the soil. It’s important to match the right type of mulch with each crop: Wood chips are ideal for fruit trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, and other large, long-lived plants. Dainty little vegetables prefer less weighty mulch, such as straw or leaves.
10. 10. Summer requires extra vigilance. Most plants will need about an inch of water a week, but different plants have different water needs, and extreme temperatures change everything: What works for a fruiting tree may not work for an evergreen shrub, or an herb garden. If you know you’re in for a heatwave, pay attention to the look of your plants and water them according to what you see (and feel).

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