You may be watering correctly and yet the plants are not growing as they should. The leaves are weaker, the soil dries out quickly and the harvest lags behind. Often it is not a lack of water, as it might seem, but the way you give it to the plants. Just a small change and you will notice the difference surprisingly quickly.
In the spring, we often feel that we can help the plants by watering them as often as possible. A little in the morning, a little in the evening, mainly so that the soil never dries out completely. But it is this approach that makes the plants survive, but never grow as strong as they could.
For a video by MIgardener on why deep watering is so important to the garden, check out YouTube:
For some time, foreign gardeners have been pointing out another way that makes much more sense. It’s called deep watering and in practice it’s a simple change, instead you water the plants less often, but really thoroughly.
Water must go down, not stay up
When you water only lightly, the water stays in the top layer of the soil, where it evaporates quickly. The roots then have no reason to grow deep, because they have everything they need right at the surface.
But that’s exactly the problem. Such plants are much more sensitive to drought, heat and weather fluctuations. It only takes a few warm days and they start to suffer.
On the contrary, with deep watering, the water penetrates where it should – to the roots. The plant adapts and begins to build a stronger and deeper root system that will keep it in shape even in more demanding conditions.
“Deep watering is especially appreciated by tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, but also trees and shrubs. It helps water penetrate where they really need it and supports strong and resistant roots,” advises experienced gardener Jaroslava Rubešková.
How deep watering looks like in practice
It’s nothing complicated, more like a change of habit. You water less often, but you make sure that the water gets really deep.
It is ideal to water slowly so that the soil has time to absorb the water. If you pour it all at once, it may just flow away without getting to where it is needed.
A simple trick works well, and that is to water twice. First, you lightly moisten the soil, let it rest for a few minutes, and only then add the rest of the water. The soil will then accept it much better.
How much water is just right
There is no universal number because it depends on the type of soil and specific plants. In general, however, the water should reach a depth of at least 15 to 20 centimeters, possibly even lower for larger plants.
It is there that the roots reach, which decide how the plant will prosper.
Why start now?
Spring is ideal for this method of watering. The plants are just getting started, forming roots and reacting to every change in care.
How you water them now will tell in a few weeks how fast they will grow, how hardy they will be and what kind of crop they will eventually produce.
A small change you will recognize
It may sound subtle, but the difference is surprisingly large. Plants are stronger, wither less and can handle hot days better.
And that is precisely the reason why gardeners abroad do not allow deep watering. It’s not a more complicated job, just a slightly different approach, and it does more in the garden than it might seem at first glance.
