Watering Corn and Tomatoes

by Kathy Bowen
(Gold Hill, Oregon (Jackson County))

When planting tomatoes, do you put them with a water trench around the plant to help hold the water?


When watering corn, is it better to use over-head watering? I've seen the big growers water with overhead watering in the heat of the day; is that good for the corn?


ANSWER:

Regarding Tomatoes:

It isn't necessary to put a water trench around your tomato plants, but it wouldn't be harmful either.

Just remember that once your tomato plants are well-established, blooming, and starting to produce green fruits, it is helpful to really cut back on the amount of water that you give them. The lack of water will stress the plants a bit, and help them to hurry up and give you some ripe tomatoes.

Regarding Corn:

Usually it is easier to water corn from overhead. The only other option is to put a soaker-hose down each row of corn, and water the roots only. This method will conserve water, but will require a few soaker-hoses depending on the size of your corn patch.

Big corn growers usually have no other option than to water some of their fields in the heat of the day. But it does waste some water.

It is best to water your garden early in the morning, before it gets hot and you lose excessive water to evaporation.

Watering in the evening can spread plant diseases if the plant foliage remains wet overnight.