How to water plants correctly?. Is this a matter? Yes!. As a gardener, you must know about this. According to the plant type, their water usage is so different.
Therefore, watering a drip irrigation system should be used. Then the water is used efficiently and with careful direction. Also, the drip lines place the water exactly where plants can use it. Careful placement by drip irrigation reduces the water available to weeds, giving crop plants an advantage. In addition, it is important to remember that plants need water to take in fertilizer. If you are using a drip system, the fertilizer should be applied in the water or otherwise placed in the wet area close to the plant.
Tips on Watering
- Plants need water, but the roots also need to get air. Give plants a good soaking and then allow the water to drain off over the next two or three days before wetting again.
- Most plants need good drainage. Only a few such as bananas, plantains, and eddoes will tolerate flooded conditions in the soil. Therefore, make a note of areas on your property which are depressions and reserve these areas for flood-tolerant crops.
- Practice pushing your finger in the soil in the root area to see how moist soil is before wetting. If there’s mulch on the soil the mulch surface may be dry but the soil may still be wet underneath.
- And also if you use a hose, avoid wetting the foliage and fruits on the plants. Because of that, some diseases will be minimized.
- Use trace element fertilizers (e.g. liquefied seaweed) to help plants to cope better in droughty conditions. Spray plants weekly.
- In addition, use mulch to save water. It prevents soil from drying out fast in droughty weather.
- Remember that there is often a drought in September (the midst of the rainy season) and be prepared to water at this time. Fastgrowing crops such as lettuce are most sensitive to this unexpected drought.
- Watch plants closely and look for signs of drought stress. Simple things such as premature dropping of fruits, flowers and/or leaves may be an indication that plants are not getting enough water.
Signs of drought stress
- Slow growth. Such as leaves fail to expand, fruit fails to set.
- Older leaves may turn yellow, dry, and fall off prematurely.
- Flowers and fruits may fall prematurely.
- Flowers are often smaller than usual and detach more easily than normal.
- Some plants droop at midday when there is not enough water. If you know the plant well, you will notice when the leaves droop. Fast-growing crops like lettuce suffer when they have to stop transpiring (when they droop) since they are no longer feeding.
The first month in the life of vegetable crops, such as tomato, is the time when the foundation is set for fruit-bearing. Pay careful attention to watering during these weeks. Flower buds are produced in the early life of the plant and if the water is scared at this point, fewer buds are produced. The fewer flower buds you get means your chances for getting fruits are less.
Strategy for Watering Selected Crops
| Crop | Approach to watering |
| Beans (String) | Water steady after planting during flowering, fruit set, and early pod filling. |
| Beets | Soak field for good germination; water steadily during root enlargement. |
| Carrot | Soak field for good germination; water steadily during root enlargement. |
| Corn | Water closely before and during silking, tasseling and ear developmet. |
| Broccoli | Water well at transplanting and at flower bud production. |
| Cabbage | Water well at transplanting and at head development. |
| Cauliflower | Water well at transplanting and at curd development. |
| Celery | Water frequently. |
| Cucumber | Water well just before and when flowers are on vine and during fruit growth. |
| Pumpkin | Water well just before and when flowers are on vine and during fruit growth. |
| Watermelon | Water well just before and when flowers are on vine and during fruit growth. |
| Lettuce | Water well throughout growth especially for large heading types. |
| Okra | Water well during flowering, fruit set, and fruit growth. |
| Onion | Soak field for good germination; water steadily during bulb enlargement. |
| Pepper (hot) | Water well in the first month after planting, during flowering, fruit set, and fruit growth. |
| Pepper (sweet) | Water well in the first month after planting, during flowering, fruit set, and fruit growth. |
| Sweet potato | Water at planting, the potato will do well rain-fed; Irrigation can be used for dry season crops. |
| Tomato | Water well in the first month after planting, during flowering and fruit set, and fruit growth. |
Lets concertante about controlling weeds in next article,
How To Build Raised Garden Bed
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