Water is a big issue in this area. When and how you water is important to plant health. We typically start watering in April. By the middle of the summer, it’s almost a daily occurrence as our arid conditions desiccate the plants. For years I made do by setting out sprinklers or lining up multiple drip hoses. But this year, my husband decided to install a system that waters the entire garden at once. 

How much water is enough

Although plenty of garden books and articles recommend an inch of water a week, it doesn’t take other factors into consideration. When we have a breeze and 90 degree weather, it’s like a convection oven. Plants literally wilt. An inch is not adequate in this situation, where it would be ample in other parts of the country with higher humidity levels. 

Irrigation Controllers: Creating a Garden Watering System

Drip, drip, drip

For the most efficient watering, lean towards keeping the water as close to the soil as possible. If you can put in a drip system, whether a drip hose or an individual system that has emitters that go to each plant, it is the best way to go. You put the water right where you need it, it won’t evaporate as much, and there is less risk of disease. When you use an overhead watering system, you have a greater chance of promoting fungal issues and other diseases. 

Water going overwhere

Traditional sprinklers, like the ones we used to use, are the least efficient way to water. The water flies everywhere, plus it’s a pain to drag hoses through the garden, especially when the plants are mature. Plus, as I mentioned, it can exacerbate a disease issue such as powdery mildew. We don’t have as many problems in this region since we’re so dry, but it’s a definite challenge in other parts of the country. But you can make do with this method, and honestly, there are times when the plants seem to sigh with relief with the water.

Happy medium 

Grant opted for low-sitting misters and some drip irrigation, particularly in the greenhouse. Strategically placed, they provide ample coverage, without shooting water like a Yellowstone geyser. But the beauty of this system is it’s easy to add additional sprinkler heads, or if need be, run a drip to a specific plant. And all of the parts were available at the local hardware store. 

Orbit Distribution Tubing

We’ve tested the system a couple of times, adjusting it to ensure it covers what we need. I am guessing we’ll have to add more sprinklers or drip emitters as the plants grow taller. The best thing is when we hook up the hose, the entire garden is watered within an hour. 

When you water is important

Soaking everything at once will make it easy to stay on top of it by either turning it on in the morning or in the evening. For us in this particularly arid climate, either works. Watering in the morning starts the plants off fresh, and makes it easy to weed by later in the day. And we can water in the early evening without fear of promoting disease. However, other parts of the country should avoid soaking plants right before sundown as water staying on the leaves is a recipe for problems.

The garden is really shaping up this year, and adding this watering system is the proverbial icing on the cake.