Watering Your Landscape: Best Practices for Healthy Plants and Conservation

How Much Water?

Most garden plants need 2–3 cm of water per week during the growing season. Skip watering after adequate rain. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deep roots; shallow frequent watering creates drought-vulnerable plants.

When to Water

Early morning is ideal—less evaporation, foliage dries quickly, reducing disease risk. Avoid midday (water acts as magnifying glass, burning leaves) and evening (prolonged wetness invites fungi).

Techniques for Efficiency

• Use a marked container to measure applied water.
• If runoff occurs, water in short cycles with soak time between.
• Apply 2–3 inches of mulch (bark, straw, leaves) to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Key Takeaways

Water deeply, early, and only when needed. Mulch generously. Adjust for rainfall. Your plants will be stronger, and you'll save water.