Essential Yard Watering Tips

The key to successful yard watering lies in a careful balance between giving your grass and plants too little or too much moisture during the growing season. Essentially, you must know when and how much to water your yard, as well as the needs and specifications of the various types of plants you have growing there. While this can be tricky, there are some basic guidelines that can help make yard watering a smoother process. Read on for some great yard watering tips that will help your outdoor space look its best this summer.

• Don’t overwater! Surprisingly, more plants die from too much watering than too little. This is because soil that’s too wet doesn’t contain enough air, causing the roots to rot. Overwatering can also make certain plants prone to diseases and pest infestations. Balance here is key, and during times of drought, plants with shallow root systems, such as certain types of vegetable plants and grasses, will need more attention than well-established perennials, shrubs, and trees.
• Know your yard watering system. Depending on the type of irrigation system you use, your plants and lawn are going to receives different degrees of water dispersal. Sprinklers, whether portable or in-ground, offer a more even distribution, but in most cases, some areas will receive more water than others. Irrigation methods such as soaker hoses and flooding offer more targeted water distribution but generally aren’t effective for large areas. When in doubt, use rain gauges or tin cans spread throughout your yard to determine how much water different areas are receiving.
• Understand your soil. Different soil types respond to water differently. Looser, sandy soils tend to drain faster, whereas water has a more difficult time penetrating clay soils. Speak to a local gardening professional for tips on the best ways to amend your particular soil type for more effective watering.
• See what your plants are getting. Routine examinations of the soil around your plants will help you determine the amount of moisture your soil is absorbing. The soil’s surface is the first to dry out, so stick your finger in it to see how moist the soil is nearer to the roots. Do this after you water to see how much moisture has actually penetrated the soil. Many experts recommend that the soil be wet 6 to 8 inches below the soil surface.
• Water smartly. When it comes to yard watering, timing is everything. Early in the morning is best, as you limit evaporation and avoid exposing your yard to unnecessary diseases that can develop when water sits overnight. Try to water deeply and less frequently, paying particular attention to those plants that are just getting established and may need to be watered more often.

With the right balance of yard watering during the growing season, you can cultivate gardens and lawn that thrive. Although yard watering can be tricky, with careful attention you can develop a system that works perfectly in your particular yard.