How to Save Water in Your Garden

Minimum Watering Time

After establishing your watering system to achieve accurate water placement, you can turn your attention to reducing the watering time to the absolute minimum.

Soil Moisture Content

The first step is to monitor the moisture content of the soil. Don't just rely on the appearance of the soil surface. Quite often the surface can be very dry because of sunlight and air temperature, but a few centimeters down the soil contains plenty of moisture. Check it by digging down and observing and feeling the soil.

When the soil below becomes dry, turn on your watering system for a very short time. Use the times listed below as a guide. Then take note of how many days it takes to once again become dry below the surface. This will vary with the time of year, and so you should make adjustments as necessary. The point is that you often need far less watering time than you may imagine. Watering for longer than necessary is simply a waste as it will just by-pass the plant and seep into the groundwater.

Guide to Watering Times

• Slo-Flo on container plants : 3 to 10 minutes
• Slo-Flo on shrubs and small trees : 5 to 20 minutes
• Microsprays : 2 to 3 minutes
• Spikesprays : 2 to 3 minutes

Time of Day

Early morning is the best time to water.

If you water in the heat of the day you will waste a lot of water through evaporation. There are times however when it is necessary to water during the day, for example, if your vegetables are starting to wilt. In this situation, apply water around the base of the plant with a watering can, hand held hose or Slo-Flo tubing. Try not to spray it on the leaves in intense sun.

Another watering option is late in the afternoon, preferably when the heat of the day has passed, but there is still some sunlight. Watering after dark needs special care. If water is sprayed onto foliage at night, it can remain ther long enough to promote the growth of plant fungi. So check the plants carefully for signs of deterioration.

Natural rainfall

Garden watering systems are there to provide water during periods of low or inconsistent natural rainfall. You should not have to use them every day. So be aware of the weather patterns and adjust your watering frequency accordingly.

Moisure Sensing

For particular applications, such as planters pot plants, window boxes and hanging baskets, an Aquasmart system with its built-in moisure sensor is ideal. It will only come on when the soil is dry and it will turn itself off when it is sufficiently moist. If it is wet from natural rainfall, it won't come on at all.