Watering Without Waste

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30389, 13 March 1964, Page 7

Watering Without Waste

Watering is a regular summer chore and although at times it is very necessary, too often its application is abused, or not fully understood, which results in many wasted hours of work. The following are a few hints that will help in the reduction of unnecessary watering and make sure that the water that is applied, can be fully utilised by the plant. Watering a little at short intervals with the aim to cover the garden in one operation., results in only the surface soil being moistened while an inch or two down the soil can be quite dry. The sun quickly dries out the damp soil, and the plants receive little benefit. When watering, apply plenty of water to a small area so - that it soaks well in and penetrates down to the sub-soil. The plant receives the full benefit and though the surface soil may dry out, there will be plenty of water retained down below. A common mistake is to water plants that do not really need it. This wastes water and tune and may also inhibit the plant's development. Many

bedding plants and annuals for instance once established, will produce flowers very freely under dry conditions but under wet conditions growth may be excessive at the expense of flowering. The following is a guide to priorities in watering: Lawns or anything newly planted; salads and quick-maturing vegetables; shallow-rooted plants; recently-planted perennials, trees shrubs and hedging plants. Bulbous plants should never be given water for in the summer months winter and spring flowering bulbs are dormant; hot and dry conditions are desirable for producing the next season’s

flowers. South African bulbs also require hot, dry conditions during the summer for free flowering. Established trees, shrubs and perennials will not need water unless they are shallow rooted. Once a particular area has been watered, mulches can be 'applied to help retain moisture. During the hot summer months the grass box can be taken off the miower and the clippings allowed to lie where they fall, the dried grass will act in part like a mulch. Once the surface soil has begun to dry out after watering. work it with a hoe to break the caked surface soil and reduce cracking and drying out.