Tips for watering plants and landscapes from WSU Cooperative Extension.
Keyword: Irrigation
Drip irrigation and soaker hoses
How to use soaker hoses and drip irrigation, from the Saving Water Partnership.
Winter watering
Can you tell me, what’s the deal with watering in winter? I’ve heard that foundation plants which don’t catch the rain under the eaves must be watered even in wintertime. Someone else says that watering anything in winter subjects it to freezing.
Now I’m in a quandary. I don’t want my plants to freeze to death, nor do I want them to die of dehydration. So what’s the answer?
According to Colorado State University Extension, you do need to water if there has not been snow or rain. You should water when the temperature is above freezing and the soil is not frozen. You should water early in the day so that the water can soak in before it gets cold overnight and freezes.
Here in the Puget Sound area we do not have freezing temperatures very often so you should go ahead and water, especially those plants under the eaves.
Garden Tip #146
Research shows that watering container plants in the afternoon leads to healthier, stronger growing plants compared to containerized plants watered early in the morning. Warren and Bilderback, Journal of Environmental Horticulture, September 2002, Vol. 20(3), Pages 184-188. However, watering the rest of the garden in the morning reduces the amount of water lost to evaporation, which is better for the utility bill!
No shortage of ways to deal with the trickle effect.
Tips on plant selection and irrigation for Pacific Northwest gardens. An article by Marty Wingate.
Technical information on irrigation, evaporation and runoff
Details of many types of irrigation systems, from Clemson University.
Water Wisely With Drip Irrigation
Information on drip irrigation from Fine Gardening magazine.
Keep plants going without a bank-breaking water bill.
Irrigation tips to save water. An article by Mary Robson.
Flouting Drought; Dry times or wet, the best advice is to make your plants less needy.
Tips for preparing your garden for drought. An article by Valerie Easton.
Seattle Public Utilities Natural Lawn & Garden Care
How to reduce waste, conserve water, save time and money, and protect our environment and your family’s health – all while growing a beautiful yard