And, THEN, because we're obviously NUTS, we added this 100 x 20' garden bed to our never-ending chore list. This has been a food plot for animals and we tried a wildflower garden without much success. I have 4 rows of potatoes planted, four rows of sweet corn, about 20 hills of winter squash, watermelon, musk & honeydew melon, spaghetti squash and pumpkins. The rest will be filled in with big Zinnia, I already have a row of 75 gladiolus in there across the back and I will also add monster-sized Sunflowers for the birds and smaller cutting ones for me. 🙂 I grew the flat of bright and cheerful Bonanza Bolero Marigold to tuck into my garden beds, and my salad garden is still going strong, even with this heat wave. Also, I'm tired, LOL! But now it's pretty much weed, water and wait. 🙂
Here's the Long View of the Kitchen Garden, facing East and exposing the ONE side of my house that still needs painting - but Mick will be here next weekend to work on it some more.
There are two more 8x4' raised beds that Beau added for me this season, to the south, next to the greenhouse. They are currently growing tomatoes and flowers and herbs, but this fall will be planted with garlic and all manner of spring blooming bulbs for cutting. Mom & I have BIG plans for bulb planting this season at her house and mine. :)
It takes me about 2 hours to water all the garden beds right now, as well as selected younger trees and shrubs. We’re currently in a drought, so they all need me! I like to get up early and get it done before it gets too hot. If I start at 8am, I’m done by 10am. So, I was wondering...am I doing it correctly and am I being efficient? Granted, we have a well, and water is not a problem for us, but no sense in wasting a drop when you don’t need to!
The Proper Way to Water Your Garden
Watering Plants and Lawns Efficiently
DO When is the best time to water plants? That’s a popular question. Water early in the morning when sunlight is weakest, the ground is coolest and foliage will have hours to dry before nightfall. Aim for between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
DON’T water in the evening when soil is warm and wet foliage can attract insects, fungus and disease.
DO water deeply and at fewer intervals so that you reach roots, the part of the plant that needs the nutrients, sugars and hormones contained in water. Soaking the soil to a depth of 5 to 6 inches encourages plants to grow deeper roots, which in the long run will make for a healthier garden.
DON’T water lightly and often, which promotes shallow root growth. (One of the worst watering crimes you can commit is to dash outside after work every evening and sprinkle the lawn for 10 minutes. Book ‘em, Danno!)
DO direct water at the base of a plant and avoid wetting foliage, which invites fungus. Also, you’ll lose less water to evaporation and, since your’re applying water directly to the root zone, the water will be readily available to the plant roots.
DON’T water from overhead. Depending on the size of the plant, the water may never actually hit the ground because the foliage may overshadow the plant’s base.
DO give lawns an inch of water per week during dry spells which, with a sprinkler, takes about 90 minutes to deliver to one area. If you don’t have a water gauge, set out an empty tuna fish can. When it’s full, you’re done!
DON’T water a lawn more or less than what’s needed because the amount affects root growth — the foundation of a healthy, beautiful lawn.
DO use irrigation systems with fixtures close to the ground. If using a sprinkler, opt for small sprinklers that allow you to change water delivery patterns or, for large areas, use a pulsating, revolving sprinkler that shoots water out horizontally at a high speed that overcomes loss due to evaporation or wind.
DON’T use sprinklers that spray vast amounts of water into the air, most of which evaporates before it ever hits the ground. Avoid watering on windy days as well.
DO give trees and shrubs — especially newly planted ones — direct watering every 7 to 10 days.
DON’T rely on sprinklers and irrigation systems to reach the bases of trees and shrubs.
DO use soaker hoses to water vegetable gardens. Again, hit the ground, not the plant.
DON’T use overhead sprinklers in vegetable gardens. More water is lost to evaporation than is absorbed by the soil.
DO use a watering wand to water annuals and perennials, both in ground and containers.
DON’T use a hose and nozzle which casts a wide spray that wets the foliage and not always the ground.
DO water container gardens regularly, typically once a day during hot, dry spells. Stick your finger in the soil. If it feels dry all the way to your second knuckle, it’s time to water.
DON’T think that container gardens need watering only when everything else does. Pots hold heat, so the confined soil dries out faster than garden soil does.
DO mulch beds and containers with several inches of composted material, which cools soil, retains moisture and helps deter weeds.
DON’T water un-mulched soil. The force of the water can spatter plants with moist soil and cause runoff.
https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/the-proper-way-to-water-your-garden