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The most difficult gardening skill to teach, and the most important to master is proper watering. Plants can grow, but they will not thrive without the right amount of water delivered at the right time. Watering affects timing of natural fertilizer applications, plant growth and abundance of harvest.
Watering Tools
Watering plants is easy if you have the proper tools. Start with the hose. Measure the distance between your faucet and the furthest point the hose will have to reach. Add 1/3 of that length, and that is the length of hose you need. A hose that is too long will get in your way. A hose that is too short will not allow you to water properly. Spend the extra money to purchase a heavy-duty, non-kink hose. That will save you time in the long run because you will not have to fight with the hose each time you change locations.
The other necessary tool is a watering wand with a simple breaker on the end. The best watering wand will be about the length of your arm. This will allow you to water plants at the back of a flower bed without stepping into the bed. The breaker helps soften the stream of water going to the plants, helping it drain easier, rather than running off.
Skip the Sprinkler
Sprinklers work better for lawns than for gardens. You will use less water, and need to water less frequently if you hand-water your plants. Each plant will have different water requirements, and hand watering allows you to meet those. A good rule of thumb for watering plants is to count while you water. For trees, count to 100. When watering shrubs, count to 50. Watering annual and perennial flowers, count to 20. If you can, once you water everything once, repeat the process. Watering "deeply and infrequently" is the key to plant growing success. This stimulates the plants to grow deeper roots.
How to Water Plants
Hand watering is the best way to water plants. Counting in your head helps you ensure that you are giving the plants enough water. Using a watering wand helps you water the plant's roots without having to bend over or strain your back. To put the water where it's needed, water close to the plant's roots, rather than flinging water around the tops of the plant. Watering the top of the plant will result in about 1/3 of the water evaporating before the plant gets to use it. Plants absorb water from their roots, not their leaves, so that is where the water needs to go.
Water and Fertilizer
Timing of watering affects the timing of fertilizing. In order for plants to make the most use of available nutrients, they must not be stressed or under-watered. A good water and fertilizing plan is to water moderately one day, and fertilize the next day with a natural fertilizer. Concentrated fertilizers that can be mixed with water should be applied in this way.
Using proper watering tools and techniques along with a well-planned feeding program will help you grow beautiful, healthy plants.
Christopher A. Williams (aka Natural Fertilizer Guy) edits the website: http://www.safe-fertilizer-reviews.com
The website contains articles about natural fertilizers and seaweed based fertilizers, as well as general natural gardening tips.
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