How much water is enough?

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Fannyfarny Auckland, New Zealand Dec 06, 2010

Hi Fellow Learners, I have bought a cheap rain gauge this dry summer in Auckland, New Zealand, so I know when free water has fallen from the sky while I'm asleep and don't waste any expensive water by watering unnecessarily. Now, I realise I don't know how to use the rain gauge. One welcome day, 18mm (roughly three-quarters of an inch) of rain fell. Is that a lot? It didn't seem like it at the time, because it was very fine rain, almost like drifting mist.
Also, I know it's better to water deeply and less often. But how do I measure how much water I am putting on my garden with the wand-sprayer for the vegetables and herbs in pots, and the sprinkler for the lawn? Is there some formula for measuring?

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dreaves Hutto, TX(Zone 8b) Dec 07, 2010

Fanny, the amount of water depends on the vegetable. I'm told that 1-inch per week is a good amount for tomatoes. As far as measuring, you can use your gauge for the sprinkler--put it on the lawn, and run the sprinkler until you get the desired amount. For your hose-end sprayer, put a large flat pan between some of your vegetables when you water. Spray the pan as much as you spray the plants, then measure the water in the pan. After a little while, you can develop a sense of how long you have to water for a specific amount.

David

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Fannyfarny Auckland, New Zealand Dec 08, 2010

Thank you, David! That is useful and practical information. Happy growing -- Fanny.

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