Water Wisely
by Priscilla Williams and Michael Nadeau

Plants need water. It’s a fact of life. If you plant it, you’ll have to water it daily at first and then weekly for a few months to get it established. Sometimes we’re lucky and Mother Nature provides rainfall here and there to help us out. Many of us have chosen to install an automatic irrigation system to supplement what nature provides. Whether you water by hand, sprinkler, or irrigation system, getting the right amount of water to your plants is critical to their long-term survival.

Watering too often is wasteful so the most environmentally-friendly way to manage your landscape is to “water only when needed.” An established organic lawn or garden has an extensive root system, enabling it to find food and water even when it is dry. Such an enhanced root system will enable the plants to survive many a dry spell.

During plant establishment, provide water as needed for the first season. Then wean the plants off water as soon as possible. A new lawn should be “syringe watered” with many light waterings until after it has been mowed several times. Then withhold water. The same goes for other types of plants. Water frequently to get the plant established, then water only during extended dry periods or drought.

How will you know if the plant has enough water, especially during a drought? Set up a rain gauge to measure rainfall, then plan to supplement with additional watering only as necessary. An empty tuna can tucked in an out-of-view spot makes a good homemade rain gauge Ideally, your plants would prefer 1-inch of water per week. One inch of overhead watering (from Mother Nature or you) will effectively soak six inches down to the root zone of your lawn and plantings. You can easily check to see if the top six inches of soil is moist by using a long, narrow trowel. Avoid frequent shallow watering that does not penetrate to this six-inch depth, as this practice encourages surface root development, grub infestation, fungus and root rot.

During periods of drought, a soaker hose system can be a lifesaver for beds and borders. It will deliver water directly to the root zone where plants need it the most. Even simple irrigation systems like soaker hoses can be connected to timers to help those who travel.

With automatic overhead irrigation systems, be sure to install a dry-weather sensor that will turn on the system only during dry periods. Systems designed to run every day, rain or shine, waste a tremendous amount of water. When you do water, set the timer to run in the early morning so that moisture can quickly dry on plant leaves. Avoid watering in the middle of the day, when evaporation loss is greatest and much water is wasted. Overhead watering should also be avoided in the evening, when cooler night temperatures inhibit drying, often leading to fungal diseases.

Mulching is a great way to conserve moisture and is a control aid for disease, insect damage and weeds. Mulch with one to two inches of shredded leaves, grass clippings, pine needles, buckwheat or cocoa hulls. Wood chips, shredded leaves or finely-ground bark mulches are an ideal mulch at a two to four inch depth around trees and shrubs. However, do not allow the mulch to touch the bark.

Finally, if you really want to save water, plant drought-tolerant species, including plants that are especially suited to your soil and garden conditions.