It's hot and there's no rain in sight - the vegetable patch won't work without additional watering. In particular, plants with flat foliage such as zucchini, melons or eggplants develop a great thirst. But when and how do you water correctly?
How should you water a vegetable patch?
How do I water my vegetable patch correctly? Water deeply once a week with approx. 20 liters of water per square meter and adjust the intervals when it is hot. Water in the morning or early evening to avoid evaporation and burns. Automatic systems can be useful to save time and water.
How often should you water?
It makes more sense to water deeply once a week than just a little every day. As a rule of thumb, you should distribute around 20 liters of water per square meter over the area. Since the bed is completely rooted during the growing season, sufficient moisture reaches all root areas.
If it is very hot, you should adjust the watering intervals accordingly and water daily if necessary. If you additionally mulch the vegetable bed, this will prevent the soil from drying out quickly.
If you have recently sown seeds or planted young plants, daily but rather sparing watering is recommended. This means the seeds sprout quickly and the small plants can grow well.
When should you water?
The right time for watering is in the morning or early evening. Otherwise, on hot days, a large part of the water would evaporate again. In addition, water drops lying on the leaves act like small burning glasses, which lead to burns and leaf damage.
How do I know when I need to water?
Vegetable plants often begin to wilt after just a few hot days without water. The leaves hang limply and growth stops. If you do the thumb test, the earth feels dry even in deeper layers.
Are automatic irrigation systems useful?
Automatic systems save a lot of time and water for vegetable plants that require a lot of water. Automated watering is incredibly easy:
- A pressure reducer with filter is connected to the tap.
- Small hoses with sprayers or drippers lead into the vegetable patch.
- Connectors enable branches and thus adaptation to the individual bed shape and size.
- An irrigation computer (€41.00 on Amazon) controls when and how long the water flows.
- A sensor measures the soil moisture and automatically ensures the optimal amount of water.
Tip
Especially in the summer months, it often only drizzles briefly. If the rain was too little, it would not penetrate into the deeper layers of the earth. Then it makes sense to water additionally, because the moist soil absorbs the water very well.
