When actively growing, plants need approximately 1 inch of water (from rain or irrigation) per week. They will require more if the weather is hot and dry, and in cool conditions they will need less. Newly planted plants or seedlings will require frequent watering to encourage roots to extend deeply into the soil. The water should penetrate to the depth of the root zone. If students are doing the watering, occasional deep watering may also be needed.
You may want to create a watering schedule for the various types of plants. Feeling the soil at the base of plants is a good way to determine when it is time to water. Poke your finger in about an inch. If the soil feels dry, the plants need water. Adjust the watering schedule accordingly.
Watering is best done in the early morning so less is lost to evaporation. If your students are watering with a hose or a watering can, guide them to apply the water at the base of the plant to make it available to the root zone. Explain that plants absorb water through their roots so the water needs to be in the soil, not on the leaves. Splashing water onto the leaves can lead to a variety of plant diseases. Using soaker hoses, drip irrigation or sprinkler systems simplifies the watering process.
If you have a drip system, or automatic sprinklers, program them to run early in the day to minimize evaporation. Monitor the system periodically to assure that:
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- There are no breaks or leaks.
- There are no clogged or missing emitters.
- The filter is clean.
- The drippers are located properly to water the root zone (at the dripline).
Adjust run times as needed to accommodate seasonal changes – warmer or cooler temperatures as well as increased/decreased day length.