What Does Water Deeply Mean? (Garden Watering Tips)

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Have you ever been told that it is better to water your garden deeply, but you’re wondering what it means to water deeply?

When I first started gardening every book I read about gardening said how important it was to water your plants deeply. But didn’t explain how that was different from just watering your garden the way most new gardeners do it or why it was better for your plants.

Learning how to properly water your garden is an important step in growing healthy plants. With the right watering methods you can help your plants grow strong, healthy root systems that will help them thrive in your garden.

What Does Watering Deeply Mean?

There is no hard rule for what watering deeply means but it generally means that you are watering to moisten the top 7 to 8 inches (17.78 to 20.32 cm) of soil below the surface.

But it’s important to know why this watering method is best for your plants and to know when you’ve watered enough so you’re not wasting water and stressing your plants.

Why Should You Water Plants Deeply?

If you only water your plants a little at a time it encourages their roots to stay near the surface of the soil. This makes them more prone to drought stress.

Instead, if you water your plants deeply but less often you are encouraging the roots to grow deeper into the soil.

This helps to protect the plants from droughts because it takes longer for the soil to dry out the deeper it is.

The consistent moisture also helps to protect against blossom end rot.

Should You Water 1 Inch A Week?

It’s common advice to water your plants with 1 inch (2.54 cm) of water per week. This is ideal when you are not in drought conditions and the soil is still moist deeper down.

You can use a rain gauge in your garden to help you know if you are getting enough moisture naturally.

To tell if you are watering enough you can place shallow tins like a tuna can in your garden. Mark the can to show a depth of 1 inch. Then you can see when it’s filled to that line and you’ll know you have given your plants an inch of water.

As a guideline, 1 inch of water is equal to 0.62 gallons (2.34 litres) per square foot in your garden.

But 1 inch of water should be considered the minimum amount you need to water. If you are gardening in a drought or just a naturally hot and dry area you will still need to water until the soil is moistened 7 to 8 inches down.

How To Water Deeply

The best way to water your garden deeply is to use a gentle stream of water for a longer time. You want the water to soak into the ground not puddle up around the plants.

If you see any puddling on the soil surface this means you are watering too quickly. Slow down the flow of water until it’s absorbed into the soil instead of running across the top.

Water your garden giving it about 1 inch of water. Then wait 30 minutes to give the water time to soak down through the soil.

When the times up check the moisture level again, if the water hasn’t moistened down 8 inches water your garden again. Then wait another 30 minutes before checking the moisture level.

Continue doing this until the soil 8 inches down is moist. Make sure to keep track of how much water and how long it took you to water for next time.

Ways To Water

1. Soaker Hose

You can use a soaker hose or drip hose and let it run for an hour or longer as needed. These types of hoses slowly drip out water allowing it to be well absorbed by the soil.

2. Sprinklers

Overhead sprinklers can be a good choice for watering. Some gardeners don’t like to use overhead watering because having wet leaves can increase the chance of fungal diseases in your garden. Personally, I’ve never found it to be a problem, no different than if it rained.

Make sure to adjust the flow of water and move the sprinkler around in the garden so all your vegetables are evenly watered.

3. Hose

Another option is to simply set the hose at the base of your plant and let it run. Make sure to set it on a smooth rock or board to help distribute the water and prevent it from washing away the soil.

This is a good option for trees, shrubs, and other large plants.

4. Watering Cans

Watering cans also work very well if you have the time to hand water. Even in our market garden, we do most of the watering by hand. This lets us put the right amount of water in each garden bed that each plant needs.

How Often Should You Water?

How often you need to water will depend on your soil type and weather conditions.

If you are growing in sandy soil it will drain faster and need more frequent watering compared to clay soil that holds moisture and has a hard time draining. Adding lots of compost to your soil will help both with moisture retention and drainage.

In the spring and fall when temperatures are cooler and most areas receive some rainfall you might only need to water your garden once a week.

In the summer when the weather is hot and dry, you might need to water 2 or 3 times a week.

If you just transplanted seedlings into your garden you should water them daily or up to twice a day in very hot weather until they have adapted to growing in outdoor conditions.

Mulch Your Garden

One of the best ways to keep your soil moist is to mulch your garden. Mulching helps to protect the surface of your soil from drying out from the sun and wind.

Lay a thick layer of straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves in your garden to reduce the amount of watering you need to do.

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