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Perfect rainfall is the dream of every gardener, but the reality is that almost every summer, there will be a period of hot and dry days, we need to water to maintain the vitality of the plants. The question of when is the best time to water the garden is closely related to the question of how to water. To help you make the most of your precious H2O, here are some basics of watering:

You will recall in biology class that water is necessary for photosynthesis of plants-the process by which water is converted into sugar and oxygen when leaves are exposed to light. But the role of water is more than that. It also transports nutrients inside the plants, so even in the most fertile garden soil, if the water supply is insufficient, the plants will be malnourished.

The basic rule is that your vegetable garden or raised bed needs 1 inch of rain per week. Therefore, every 100 square feet is equivalent to 62 gallons of rainwater. If it rains but you don't have a rain gauge and you are not sure how much it rains, please check the local weather information.

Or, check if the soil 2 inches below the surface feels dry. If you are covering plants, poke a hole in the covering to touch the soil. Don't look at the soil; instead, insert your index finger into it to feel whether it is dry. (This is one of the few gardening activities where I don't wear gloves.)

However, there are exceptions to the 2-inch rule—sand soil allows water to flow through much faster than heavy clay, so it needs to be watered more frequently to make up for the loss.

The best time to water is when it is still cool in the early morning. This can prepare the plants for a hot day, but it is not always easy to do under a busy schedule. The second best time is late afternoon or evening. Unless you use drip irrigation or soaking hoses, it is not a good idea to water in the evening after dark because the leaves will not be able to dry out, which will spread the fungus (tomatoes are the main candidates). That being said, always try to spray as little water as possible on the leaves and aim at the soil with a watering can or hose; do not bathe the plants from above. This is why drip irrigation and soaking hoses are ideal-they can help you save water.

Similarly, there are exceptions to the early morning and evening watering rules. If your plants look withered, they are under drought pressure. In this case, don't wait-water them immediately, even in the hot afternoon. The other big exception is container plants, which require more water than underground plants. They should be watered every day, even twice a day in hot weather, until the water drips from the drain hole.

When it is not raining and the soil or covering is very dry, pour very little water first, using the nozzle of a watering can or a hose, until the surface is soaked; otherwise, the water will run away. Be patient, as it may need to be repeated several times until you see the water disappear in the soil.

Plants that require additional TLC

Just because it hasn't rained for a while doesn't necessarily mean you need to water anything in your yard. The motto here is: water on demand. If a plant, even a mature plant, appears to wither under drought stress, it needs water.

However, some candidates always require your special attention: any newly planted plant (whether it is a tree, shrub or perennial) needs to be watered regularly for at least the first year. In the absence of sufficient rain, water until the soil around the plants is completely saturated.

In addition, everything you sow needs to be kept moist at all times to germinate, whether it's lettuce or raised beds in the garden, or wild flower seeds that you sown. Unless it rains every day, you need to water every day and be very gentle to avoid washing off the seeds. Use a hose or watering can with a thin nozzle for the best results.

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