The best ways to water your plants, garden year-round

Jeanne Crisp and Julie Kelly

In light of the recent heat wave, let's talk about two things: Watering and year-round gardening.

Watering

Most plant growth takes place from May to September – when Mother Nature typically takes a break from raining. Vegetables need about an inch of water each week during the growing season.

Seeds and seedlings need moisture closer to the surface then mature plants, so water them more frequently. Once plants are established, less frequent, deep watering with dry periods between helps grow deep roots. Plants encouraged to root deeply are more drought tolerant and require less care than shallow-rooted ones.

Watering techniques

Water can: While time consuming, hand watering allows you to target and evaluate individual patches of soil. The can's spout ensures water goes straight to the roots.

Overhead watering: Using a hose and sprinkler is the most common and least effective. If this is your method, try at least to use a sprinkler set into place, with a timer, rather than spraying by hand.

Soaker hose: A great and inexpensive alternative, soaker hoses allow almost no evaporation, can be hooked up to a timer, are easily buried under mulch and require little upkeep.

Drip irrigation: The most effective of all watering systems for gardens and containers.

Watering tips

• To reduce evaporation, water when it's cool and calm.

• To help prevent disease, water in the morning or early enough in the evening so the foliage can dry before nightfall. Always water tomatoes, peppers and squash at the base.

• Avoid over watering, which may leach nutrients from the root zone.

• Remove weeds. They rob water from your vegetables.

• It's better to water for a longer time, less frequently.

Think you're doing a good job watering? Take a test. After watering, stick your finger into the soil. Has the water penetrated below the top half-inch of soil? Or have you watered the top but not the roots? Revisit your watering frequency and technique, and your plants will love you!

Year-round gardening

With planning and care, you can enjoy fresh garden produce through fall and into the winter. If you've just harvested the last of your spring veggies, consider planting another crop, now through early September.

Varieties: Choose varieties that are suited to fall and winter harvest. Broccoli, carrots, salad greens, beets, scallions, and spinach are just a few good cool season crops.

Location: Choose the warmest location you have. Look for an area that gets as much sun as possible during the short days of autumn and winter.

Soil: Good drainage is essential for fall and winter crops. Raised beds are best. Prepare the soil by restoring nutrients with a light layer of compost or a small application of fertilizer boosts soil nutrients ahead of another crop.

Planting: To go through the winter, crops must be well established before the weather turns cooler. Most fall and winter crops are planted from late June to mid-August. Direct seeding can work if you start sooner. Otherwise, consider buying starts from a nursery.

Early care: If you plant starts when it's hot and sunny, water them daily at first. If you sow seeds, keep the soil evenly moist as they germinate. To keep the soil moist and protect young plants from the sun, temporarily shade them. Once plants are established, use a mulch to hold moisture in the soil and control weeds.

Extending the season: Heavy and prolonged rains saturate the soil, encourage slugs, and foster leaf diseases. By covering your winter crops with a cloche, cold frame, row cover, or other product, you avoid many of these problems and extend the life of a winter garden dramatically.

Questions? We're happy to help. Send questions to gardenadvice@mukilteogarden.org