It is nearly impossible to have a successful garden without watering. There may be times when the perfect amount of rain falls, but nearly every growing season brings a stretch of hot and dry days when garden irrigation is essential.
Under drought stress, plants may produce small fruit, such as undersized tomatoes or melons, or they may produce no fruit at all. They may become tough, fibrous, or bitter, as with cabbage and turnips. They may bolt, sending up a flower stalk and stopping growth, as with lettuce and spinach. Or they may wilt and die. For the best and tastiest yield, it is important to pay attention to the watering needs of your plants.
But watering is a no-brainer, right? You simply follow common watering rules like “gardens need 1 inch of water per week” or “water once or twice a week“… that works, doesn’t it? Well, the truth is, when it comes to watering there are no hard and fast rules that apply in all situations.
Here are some factors to consider when deciding when to water:
