Hey everyone! I'm trying to get a better handle on watering my in-ground vegetable garden, which I've mulched with 3-4 inches of pine straw and leaf mulch. Despite watering deeply a few times each week, especially with the heat hitting around 100 degrees and hardly any rain lately (I'm in zone 8b), I've noticed that the soil underneath is super dry and almost hydrophobic. When I check the soil after watering, it seems like the water just sinks in without really soaking the upper layers. The plants are okay for now, but some, like my new watermelon and butternut squash, are growing slowly and the older leaves are turning yellow. What should I do to improve my watering technique and overall plant health? Any tips out there?
3 Answers
With the extreme heat, mulch can only do so much to retain moisture. You might need to water more frequently. I usually avoid watering during the hottest parts of the day. If I can, I water in the morning and do another round in the evening when it's cooler!
It sounds like your soil might be quite porous! You could try watering for longer periods in smaller areas to really saturate it. Switching to a sprinkler or, better yet, a soaker hose could help, too! You might have to let it run for longer than you'd think, like a few hours. If your garden isn't too big, you can also use a 5-gallon bucket and pour it slowly between the plants to keep it from running off.
Consider adding compost to your soil a couple of times a year. If it's struggling to hold moisture, it likely lacks organic material. Additionally, if the soil is too dry, it may be hydrophobic, so you'll want to really soak it thoroughly over time.