Get Low
By Rosamond C. Rodman, plot 54-5
According to the Water Conservation sub-committee chair George Buck, July sees the
heaviest demand in Altadena Community Garden’s annual water use. This may seem
obvious. After all, July is both one of the hottest months of the year and the month when
squash, tomatoes and corn are often most productive.
What may not be so obvious, however, is that you are probably watering too much – even
in July. “A large tomato needs a lot of water once a week except for the hottest
conditions, and germinating seeds need only a sip a couple times a day,” according to
Mark Rice, master gardener and pilot of Altadena Community Garden plot 14.
First of all, according to Mark, “we have very sandy soil,” so the water you so diligently
apply often simply soaks through to the aquifers.
Secondly, when you use any kind of spray technique to deliver water, you are losing a
great deal of the water due to evaporation and wind.
So how can you best strike a balance between giving your plants a healthy drink and not
over-watering?
Get low.
In other words, use some form of drip irrigation. Drip irrigation delivers water straight to
the root system of plants.
There are several effective drip watering techniques, from high-tech to low. At the
complex end, one can install fully automated drip systems on a timer.
Or you can simply buy drip or “soaker” hoses.
Readily available and relatively cheap, soaker hoses
have another advantage: simply place the hose
where you want it, and that’s it. Soaker hoses do the
watering for you. Then you can harvest, weed, or
just relax and enjoy your plot. (Tip: the 50’-75’
hoses work best).
Finally, try this ancient technique. Place empty pots
(with drainage holes) next to plants. Fill the pot with water and let the drainage holes do
the work of delivering the water to the roots (not the surface soil surrounding the plants).
When it comes to watering, it is best to get low. Not only will drip irrigation conserve
water and time, but it also minimizes root-rot, cuts down on weeds, and prevents leaf
burn.
