Poor water management hurts plant health

Q. With the weather so hot, how do I know if my plants are getting enough water? I don’t want to over-water them.

Brian from Youngstown

A. Water is always an issue. We encourage gardeners to water effectively and efficiently. When the weather hits the 80s and 90s it’s difficult to be out in the garden. But just as you and I perspire during the high temperatures, so do our plants. They sweat in a way called transpiring. As the temperature rises and plants move water and minerals through their vascular systems, they transpire (sweat) moisture through their leaves more frequently.

It takes only a day or two of drought or poor water management, when the temperature is in the high 80s, to cause a problem.

This is especially true in raised-bed gardens. They will dry out more quickly than conventional plantings in the ground.

When we have high temperatures, evaporation of moisture from the soil will be more extreme. This is one of the main reasons irrigation should be done through soaker hoses or a drip system rather than overhead watering.

For established plantings, deep watering twice a week is recommended. Usually an inch of water per week is needed. Deep watering will encourage deeper rooting, which gives us stronger, healthier plants. Deep watering is preferred over shallow, frequent and overhead watering. These methods can lead to shallow root systems and high water loss due to evaporation.

Soaker hoses and/or drip tapes allow water to seep out gently over the entire length of the hose. The water goes right to the root system where it is needed, and very little is lost to evaporation. Soaker hoses must be left on for a length of time to water deeply. An inch of water penetrates about six inches in clay soil.

Let your hose run for a while, then dig down with a trowel to see how deep the water went. If it is less than six inches, let the hose run longer depending on the force of the water through the hose.

Another option is using a can under the middle to end of the hose to measure one inch of water.

Either way, keep track of how much time it took to get the correct amount of water.

In summer, mulch is a gardener’s best friend. Mulch keeps weeds to a minimum as well as holding moisture in the soil.

Newspaper, laid 3 layers thick or cardboard works well. Remember to wet down the paper after it is put down. Cover the paper with an organic mulch such as straw or bark to help retain the moisture.

Soaker hoses should be laid under the mulch as the best way to conserve water.

Hopefully, using these ideas, your plants will thrive with the right amount of moisture throughout the summer growing season.

To learn more about effective watering, go to http://go.osu.edu/watertips.

Today’s answer is provided by Barb Delisio, OSU Extension master gardener volunteer. Call the office hotline at 330-533-5538 to submit your questions. Regular clinic hours are 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Thursdays.