News Column
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Robin Trott, Extension Educator
Water Wisely: 5 Steps to Conserving Water
in Your Garden
ALEXANDRIA, Minn (03/29/2017) Knowing when to water and how much to
water is a challenge for any gardener. Too much water at the wrong time and place
can cause fungal disease. Not enough water in the right place can lead to stunted,
stressed plants susceptible to disease and insect infestation. Getting the timing and
quantity just right shouldn’t be a mystery. To get your garden started in the right
direction, let’s begin with five easy things you can do to conserve your water this
summer.
1. Water thoroughly after planting, then water once or twice a week,
applying enough water to wet the soil to a depth of 12-18 inches for trees
and shrubs or 6-8 inches for annuals. If you’re not sure how much water this
is, do this easy test. Water your garden, wait an hour or so to allow the
water to sink in, then dig a hole about 1 foot deep. Is the soil moist at the
bottom of the hole? If not, water more. If it is sopping wet, water less.
2. Water your garden in the morning and containers in the afternoon.
Research shows that containers watered after 12:00 outperformed plants that
were watered in the early morning. The optimal watering time for the rest of
the garden is early morning before the temperatures start to rise. AVOID
evening watering, as this can lead to fungal growth.
3. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch! Up to 70% of water can evaporate from the soil on
a hot day. Mulch is one of the best moisture holding tools you can use. Use
coarse mulch at a depth of 3-4 inches. Rock mulch might look pretty, but in
full sun, rocks can heat up the soil.
4. Xeriscape: select plants that are drought tolerant. Many of these plants
require less water throughout the season. One way to tell if a plant is a good
choice for your xeriscape is the color of its foliage. Plants with silvery
foliage, such as many of the herbs, are almost always drought-tolerant. Some
examples of these are the artemisias, catmint, and perovskia (Russian Sage).
Other drought tolerant flowering perennials include: Black-eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia), Butterfly weed (Asclepias) and Obedient Plant (Physostegia)
(Visit: http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/droughttolerantplants.aspx for more
information.)
5. Increase organic matter in your soil. Organic matter absorbs many times
its own weight in water, which is then available for plant growth. One of the
easiest ways to build organic matter is to add compost that breaks down to
humus. This has an amazing potential to hold moisture, nutrients and build
soil health. It has a buffering effect against drought and plant stresses too.
If you have any particular questions regarding proper watering in your home and
garden, please contact me at 320-762-3890, or email [email protected]. Stay
tuned for more “Water Wisely” tips.
Until next time, happy gardening!
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“We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.” ~ Jacques Cousteau
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Robin Trott is a Horticulture Educator with University of Minnesota Extension.
Source: Robin Trott, University of Minnesota Extension, (320)762-3890, [email protected]
University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.