Watering Vegetable and Flower Gardens: Water-Wise Gardening and Landscape Maintenance

1. Water-Wise Gardening and Landscape Maintenance
Watering There are many variables to water slowly enough so it absorbs
consider when trying to deter- without ponding or running off.
mine when and how much to During warm weather, water
Vegetable water vegetable gardens, flower
beds, and perennials. As a general
rule, beds should be watered
loamy soils approximately every
5 to 7 days with 1 to 2 inches of
water. Water sandy soils twice a
and Flower when the top several inches of soil
is dry. Dig down 2 to 4 inches with
week. These recommendations
are an average and vary
Gardens
a trowel to determine if soil needs depending on the site and envi-
additional water. Dry soil will not ronmental conditions. Watch
hold together to form a ball. plants and adjust amounts and
frequency as needed.
Best Management Practices If water is needed, thoroughly
moisten the soil to a depth of The plant population also influ-
6 to 8 inches. In well amended ences the amount of water
or prepared soil, this should take needed to sustain a growing bed.
1 to 2 inches of rain or irrigation. The more plants growing in a
Check rainfall amounts to ensure given area, the greater the
that moisture is adequate. demand for water. Spacing plants
Consider watering after a light further apart but within optimum
rain to to take advantage of parameters requires less water. An
nature’s contribution. Mulching ideal plant population allows
beds also helps conserve moisture foliage to overlap, shading soil
and extend the irrigation interval. between plants and reducing
evaporation from the soil’s
Soil type influences water infiltra- surface.
tion rate, holding capacity, and
root establishment. A good root When planting gardens or flower
system improves the plant’s ability beds from seed, water thoroughly
to take up water. Amending the after planting to establish a
soil with organic matter such as reserve in the top few inches of
compost, peat moss, cotton burr, soil. Keeping the seed bed moist
or manure opens heavy soil so it supports germination and softens
can receive moisture more readily. soil, allowing seedlings to emerge.
It helps sandy or porous soil retain Apply ¼ inch of water daily –
moisture. Vegetable gardens early in the morning or in the
should only be amended with evening – for the least amount of
manure in the fall after crops have evaporation. Lightly cover the
been removed. planted seedbed with sand,
compost, or potting soil to help
When daytime temperatures seedlings emerge, and distribute
average 85 degrees, water clayey moisture evenly around the seed.
soils once a week with 1 to 2
inches of water, unless rainfall is At planting time, water vegetable
adequate. If necessary, water in or flower transplants with a water-
increments, applying ½ inch at a soluble starter fertilizer solution at
time and waiting 30 minutes one-half rate to settle soil around
between waterings. This allows the root system. Water new trans-
Kansas State University clayey soils to absorb water plants every two to three days for
Agricultural Experiment Station without ponding on the surface. the first two weeks. Decrease
and Cooperative Extension Service Trickle irrigation usually applies watering to twice a week for the

2. third and fourth weeks to Do not expect to thoroughly applying. A garden hose left on
encourage root establishment. water established plants in a the ground retains water that
When growth is observed, begin vegetable garden or flower bed heats in the sun and may scald
watering at recommended inter- with a handheld hose. Overhead foliage. If the hose was left at the
vals, factoring in rainfall amounts watering of garden or landscape base of a plant, hot water may
and soil type. plants during the hottest part of a damage roots of sensitive plants.
sunny, mid-summer afternoon will Water allowed to pond on the
High temperatures, wind, and not damage plants by magnifying bed’s surface also can reach
slopes also determine moisture sunlight through water droplets. scalding temperatures.
retention. High temperatures and In fact, cool water moderates
wind lead to water loss from evap- stress associated with intense Water with a high salt content is
oration. Water runs off steep afternoon heat. Spraying plants damaging. The soil testing labora-
slopes unless applied slowly or in with cool water is sometimes used tory at K-State can test irrigation
increments. Add ¼ inch of water as a cultural practice for that water for salinity. Water tainted by
at a time, and allow 30 minutes purpose. salt or chemicals and flushed onto
between waterings. Repeat irriga- plants from adjacent surfaces can
tion and give water time to perco- When irrigating garden or land- also cause damage.
late through soil particles until scape plants with a garden hose,
adequately moist. be sure water is cool before
Authors:
Emily Nolting, commercial landscape/ornamental horticulture specialist
Ward Upham, extension horticulture rapid response coordinator
Phil Sell, Shawnee County horticulture agent
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Contents of this publication may be freely reproduced for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. In each case, credit
Emily Nolting et. al., Watering Vegetable and Flower Gardens, Kansas State University, January 2008.
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
MF-2804 January 2008
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, as
amended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating, Fred A. Cholick, Director.