| As summer approaches, and the weather seems | | | | that need a slow steady amount of water over |
| to get more erratic every year, smart gardeners | | | | the course of the day. Take a plastic milk quart |
| begin to take steps to ensure that the water | | | | container or 2-liter pop bottle and cut the bottom |
| they use for their garden gives the greatest | | | | off. Place upside down into the soil next to the |
| benefit possible. Here are five easy tips on how | | | | plant and fill the container with water. This will |
| to use water in your garden judiciously and still | | | | allow the moisture to seep into the soil at a slow |
| have a green and thriving garden all summer long. | | | | pace. I have seen some really pretty glass bulbs |
| Water early in the day - Summer heat not only | | | | in stores that are meant to do this, but this is |
| wilts and dries out your plants, it also burns them. | | | | cheaper and does the same thing. Just be careful |
| When you water during the day, tiny drops of | | | | not to over water. Use one container for two |
| water remain to cling on the leaves. Tiny droplets | | | | plants by putting it between them unless you |
| then act as magnifying glasses that focus sunlight | | | | know for sure that the plant can handle this much |
| and ultimately burn your leaves. The best time to | | | | water. |
| water your plants is right before sunrise. This | | | | Gauge your water - Since sprinklers are notorious |
| gives them the entire morning to absorb the | | | | for over watering in some areas and under |
| moisture. This is particularly true for those who | | | | watering in others on the same lawn, check your |
| live along a coast where evening dampness can | | | | sprinklers to see if your lawn sprinklers are set up |
| cause mold or rot, water early in the morning. | | | | correctly. An easy way to do this is to set up |
| Plan for Water Needs - If you have plants in pots, | | | | coffee cans in various areas of your lawn before |
| group them together by water needs. Put your | | | | you run your sprinklers. Lawns needs an average |
| high water need plants in protected areas where | | | | of one inch of water a day, so once your |
| they can more easily maintain the moisture. Also - | | | | sprinkler has run its course, measure the amount |
| by having them together, you can do a quick | | | | of water in each coffee can. If it is more or less |
| extra watering for those that need it and skip the | | | | than one inch, adjust your sprinklers accordingly |
| succulents and other low water maintenance | | | | and then measure again the next day. This way |
| plants that will only need water occasionally. This | | | | you can be sure your lawn is getting enough |
| will mean you will only water those that need the | | | | water, but you are not watering so much that |
| water. | | | | you are wasting water. |
| Slow Watering - This is great for specific plants | | | | |