MY DEAR, DEAR friend Edna asked me to do an article on watering, due to the hot, sunny dry weather we now find ourselves in.
Well, Edna (and everyone else), here we go!
I will offer a philosophical slant on what many believe is a routine and mundane task — watering. I am writing today on the “art of watering,” perhaps better labeled as “go with the flow.”
Watering is much more than H2O coming out of a hose.
Think about your own situation: You have big, established trees, bushes and shrubs, as well as flowers, perennials, new plantings in various degrees of all-day-long sun and shade.
Dehydrating factors
Each of these factors greatly influence how surrounding soil will dry out, how the plant will transpire (sweat) or even how the dehydrating wind will blow across.
A well-thought-out, organized plan is the only way to water.
With the early arrival of warm, hot, dry weather, anything you planted in the past year is at the most severe risk.
These “newly planted” items are establishing their new root systems and moisture (along with bone meal) is crucial for this process to proceed.
Ideally, a long watering of an hour or more, once a week to 10 days is preferred.
Copious amounts of mulch, 8 inches thick or more, is your best ally.
Never forget: Thick mulch really locks in moisture, saving you hundreds if not thousands of gallons of water a year.
Got it? Mulch is a watering wizard trick!
Next in the art of watering is to water a multitude of times Days 1 to 3.
When you first plant, soak those plantings in well the first day.
The art is to flood the area in succession, each separate watering settling the soil a little firmer around the root ball.
These repeated waterings also saturate the surrounding ground so it will not “wick away” like a towel later.
Finally, remember the art of watering is to be one with the soil, be as the soil is.
A way out
Plantings around rocks, concrete, full sun, reflecting off the house or next to vents dry out way faster.
Water them first, water them last, water them often.
Drag out a hose or watering can just for these few select hot dry spots.
This includes any hanging baskets, pots, window boxes or containers.
If a container is planted correctly with drainage holes, you cannot over water. And watering is the way fertilizer is released.
Water them daily, rain or shine.
Be a Zen master, become the soil, be one with the hose and water as though it is an “art form”. Because it really is!
And also … please stay well all!
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Andrew May is a freelance writer and ornamental horticulturist who dreams of having Clallam and Jefferson counties nationally recognized as “Flower Peninsula USA.” Send him questions c/o Peninsula Daily News, P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362, or email news@peninsuladailynews.com (subject line: Andrew May).
