Importance of water
Water is so essential to all living things including plants. In fact, plants are made up of about 95% water, therefore, it is important that we give our landscape and garden plants the right amount of water which we will be discussing more in this article.
I have worked on many garden and landscape projects over the years and saw where many caretakers were not giving their plants adequate water or overwatering their plants which resulted in their plants being stress and in some cases death of those plants.
Photosynthesis
One of the major elements that plants need to produce their food is water, but even though this may be the case, just as water is important to a plant’s survival overwatering can kill a plant.
Planning your garden
1. The first step in planning your garden is having a knowledge of which zone you are in, get to know your climate condition.
2. Then the soil type that you have is very important to plant life as far as watering is concerned. Some soils can retain great amounts of water or drain poorly and can be detrimental to plant life. These soils are known as clay soils. Soils such as clay soil will have to be work with like adding compost to help with drainage.
Then there are sandy soils or well-drained soil that cannot retain water. Adding compost or organic soils will help. Then for those of us who are fortunate to have that good garden soil or loam that holds the right amount of water and allows excess to drain through is great this is the ideal soil that is like black gold to the home gardener.
3. It is very, very, important to have knowledge of your plant’s water requirements. Plants that require a lot of water are known as high maintenance plants, for example, Peace lilies, Crotons, etc…
Do not allow the soil to dry out when it comes to this group of plants but keep moist at all times, not waterlogged or over watered.
There is also the mid-level or in between plants if I can use that word. These plants can go without water for a week but keep a close eye and watch out for signs of wilting, in this group you have the Copperleaf, Golden Durante, Showers of gold, etc…
Then there are the low maintenance plants that require little watering in order to perform at their best. In this group, you have Cactus, ZZ plants, Bromeliads, etc… Plants in this group can be watered only as the soil dries out.
Rainfall
The elements such as rainfall are something that we don’t have control over, so in cases of heavy rainfall monitor your plants and continue watering base on the above information.
Plant water requirements
Other sources of information
A good source of information can come from your nurseryman when deciding to purchase plants. Read the tags and also ask questions including, lighting conditions, fertilizer and water requirements, soil type which includes soil structure and soil ph
along with garden pest and control measures, signs of plant disease, and treatment.
These are just a few things besides watering for a successful garden.
The final word
Plants in so many ways are just like us so providing the right condition can help us to experience garden success. So investing in having a knowledge of plants can go a long way in the overall health of plant life.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Great information on watering and plants. I just bought a new house and the landscaping and yard leaves much to be desired and I feel overwhelmed with what to do with it. I am in a different type of climate now, so I need to do as you say and head to the greenhouse to see what will work best. What is growing, or not growing now is ugly and does not look like a fit for the soil/climate conditions. Very sandy and dry here. Looks like I will probably be buying some cactus related plants.
Hello my dare lady so good to hear from you again, hope all is well with both you and your family. So sorry to hear about your landscape but I am so happy to know that I could help, please let me know how it goes. Wishing you the best of garden success. Have a good day.
Hello Norman,
I took a look at your website, and I have to say it is very well polished. The information that you provided is well diverse, as well as educational. Not only I saw info on Gardening, but also diet, different kinds of fruit for specific ailments. I enjoyed what you have done with your website.
Hello antonio so happy to meet you and thanks a million for those kind words,you have word my day. I am glad that you enjoyed my website all the best to you and have a good day.
Really intereting article here. The place ive just moved into has a bigger garden that im used to and for some reason (not really me) im starting to really think heavily about taking up the hobby or at least just making my garden look good, maybe a form of meditation i dunno. Browsing the web and found this article. Great.
Hello Chris it is so good to meet you, there is so much benefits to having a garden besides getting the exercise and keeping your heart rate up. So I encourage you to get one going you will be glad that you did. Hope this helps and please let me know how it goes, have a good day.