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Water the Roots, Not the Leaves
The fact of the matter is that plants drink through their roots, not their leaves, so your watering should take place at the soil level. If you sprinkle water from above like rainfall, it makes the leaves wet and you lose much of that moisture to evaporation. And if you’re not careful with the hose, a direct stream of water can physically damage fragile plants and fruit. Watering at ground level, on the other hand, sends the water directly into the soil, where it’s immediately accessible to your plants’ roots.
Your best bet is to use drip irrigation, which, for home gardeners, typically means a soaker hose. The water seeps into the soil slowly — even when it’s baked-dry — rather than running along the surface and draining away. If you water for long enough, moisture sinks deep into the soil where it encourages root growth. Down there, water is protected from the hot sun and won’t evaporate as quickly. Adding a layer of mulch provides an extra shield against heat and drought.
Wet Leaves Make Unhealthy Plants
Aside from hydrating your plants more effectively and saving on your water bill, soil-level drip irrigation makes for healthier plants. Moisture on the leaves creates a nurturing environment for bacteria and mold spores, especially in closely packed beds or humid climates. Consequently, watering plants from above raises the risk of disease in your garden.
There’s also a modest risk of sunlight refracting through water droplets and scorching fuzzy or hairy leaves, causing burn spots.
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More Watering Tips
• Water deeply, but occasionally. A thorough watering once a week is better than light waterings every couple of days, because it encourages deep root growth.
• Water in the evening or early morning. That gives the water plenty of time to soak in and minimizes evaporation from the hot midday sun.
• If you live in an especially dry climate or somewhere water is expensive, consider using an olla every 2 to 3 feet throughout your garden beds to keep the soil moist.
