Waterwise Vegetable Gardening

You can grow garden fresh produce while conserving water and limiting the time spent watering.

Water gardens early in the morning to minimize water lost to evaporation. Always water thoroughly but less frequently to encourage deep more drought tolerant roots. Use a soaker-hose or drip irrigation to slowly place the water directly on the soil where it is needed.

You can create your own slow watering device. Use old gallon milk jugs to apply water where it is needed. Punch several small holes in the bottom of the milk jug. Fill with water and place next to your tomatoes, peppers or other large plants. The water slowly seeps into the soil where it’s needed.

And don't forget to mulch with shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic material. Mulching helps keep the soil cool and moist, reduces weeds and adds organic matter to the soil as it decomposes over the season.

A bit more information: Most gardens benefit from an inch of water each week. Monitor rainfall with a rain gauge and supplement as needed. Apply needed water in one application to heavy soils. Make two applications of ¹/₂ to ³/₄ an inch of water in sandy soils. Remember to let the weather and plants, not the calendar, be your guide.