Watch the Urge to Over Water

How to grow plants a little 'harder'--to be less dependent on water.

Nassella tenuissima
Item # 92950 		Nassella (stipa) tenuissima
Silky Thread Grass

each $5.99
3 to 6 $5.79
7 or more $5.59
Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’
Item # 41564 		Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Firewitch’
Firewitch Garden Pink

each $4.99
3 to 6 $4.79
7 or more $4.59
  • Topic: Watering
  • Keywords: waterwise, water, hardy, drought, Watering
  • Date: May 2001

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Now that the growing season is starting to come on strong, it is worthwhile to reflect on how we water our gardens. Here in New Mexico, the months of May, June and early July are typically dry. We must irrigate our lawns and gardens because it is rare that rain by itself is sufficient. In general we tend to over-water our landscapes, especially lawn areas.

Continuously moist soil is fine for vegetable gardens because vegetables need lots of water to grow and set fruit properly. For ornamental flower gardens frequent irrigation grows soft, lush foliage and just conditions the plants to need more water when the heat of summer arrives.

Except in my beds with lots of bulbs, I make a conscious effort to limit how often I water in early spring. Good winter moisture leaves the soil nicely moist and provides all the water emerging plants need as they wake up. As the plants begin their active growth and flowering cycle I will wait until the plants are beginning to look a little water-stressed before I give them the first soak of the season. Then when it’s time to water, I water for a long time to be sure the water travels deeply into the soil.

Deep watering develops deep roots. Grow your plants a little “harder” (water less frequently) and train the plant roots to follow the moisture down into the soil. Water that penetrates deeply into the soil tends to remain there, safe from the evaporative forces of wind and sun.