Watering Vegetable Garden

by Princess
(Houston, TX)

What is the best time of day to water vegetable garden and how frequently?



ANSWER:

It is best to water your vegetable garden in the morning. Avoid watering the garden in the evening, as plants are more susceptible to diseases when the foliage is wet overnight.

Also, try not to water during the heat of the day. I say "try" because if it is the only option on a particular day, I think it is better to water then, than not at all if your garden needs water.

How often to water your garden depends on the weather, and how well your soil retains moisture. So there is not an exact amount or timing that is recommended.

Generally, when the garden soil is dry about one or two inches down, it is time to water again. It is best to water deeply and less frequently, than to water a little bit, but very often.

You want your plant to establish deep roots. Frequent shallow watering creates plants with shallow roots. Shallow-rooted plants are more prone to stress and disease.

It is very beneficial to amend your garden soil with compost and other organic material that will absorb and retain water. This will help supply a steady source of moisture for your plants to absorb.