How to Obtain Proper Watering in Your Garden

If there’s one thing that’s important in gardening, it’s proper watering. Vegetable gardens need about 1 inch of water each week. If you have a garden in sandy soil, you may need up to 2 inches of water! 

If you can’t consistently keep your garden watered by hand, sprinklers, and drip irrigation can help you maintain the right moisture level. 

Sprinklers 

• There are several types of sprinklers––from tripod styles to traveling styles. 
• Be sure to adjust the rate of water application so the water has time to soak into the soil instead of running off. 
• Place the sprinkler where plants will not interfere with the pattern of application. To avoid interference, we recommend mounting the sprinkler above the plants. 
• Want to determine how much water is really reaching your plants? Place small buckets around your garden. This will help you determine if there is too much or too little water being applied. 
• When using sprinklers, water early in the day to allow the leaves to dry. If the leaves are left wet overnight, they could develop and spread diseases. 

Drip Irrigation

• Drip irrigation operates at a low pressure and delivers small amounts of water very slowly through holes in tubes. We recommend using a 150-mesh filter. 
• Place a hose with holes, or soaker hose, along one side of the plants or underneath an organic or plastic mulch. 
• Correct use of a drip irrigation system should keep vegetables growing even during dry periods. You may need to run the drip system for short periods of time, three or four times a week, during dry weather. Never allow the soil to dry completely. 
• Drip irrigation has several advantages:
  • It reduces the amount of water used.
  • It waters the plants where it is needed.
  • It is beneficial for large gardens. 
  • It reduces the amount of time spent watering. 
  • It keeps the plant leaves dry. 
• The disadvantage of drip irrigation systems is the initial purchase cost and the time it takes to install.

For more gardening tips, check out our Mississippi Vegetable Gardener’s Guide. For local help, your local Extension office is a great place to start. An Extension agent can give you advice and recommendations to help your garden thrive!