Watering the Vegetable Garden

Additional Resources Growing a Salad Vegetable Garden Organic Gardening

Preparatory work such as germinating seeds and getting them into healthy soil account for approximately one-half of the work necessary for growing a successful vegetable garden.

The other half of the work consists of weeding, checking for insect infestations and providing the plants adequate food and water.

Typically garden experts recommend that the basic salad vegetable garden, like the one described in the article at the link box on the right, receive one inch of water per week. That advice often means watering the vegetable garden can be as easy as counting on weekly light summer rains or hauling out the watering can and providing a gentle shower for the plants on a weekly basis.

Because soil and climate conditions vary from location to location, the one inch rule of thumb needs to be understood in flexible terms.

Gardens planted in sandy soils, in hot, dry areas might need a bit more water to effectively deal with the garden's higher drainage and evaporation levels. On the other hand, gardens planted in clay soils in cooler climates might need a bit less water. Checking the look of the soil a couple of inches in depth, at a spot of soil away from the plants can help determine the soil's moisture content.

In areas prone to extreme dryness where day to day monitoring of the garden is not practical, piling a three inch layer of mulch around the plants helps retain soil moisture. Additionally it keeps down weed growth.

© 2009. Patricia A. Michaels