I recently shared a very detailed post on how to create a landscape from scratch. I wanted to talk about watering your garden in a separate post so I could go into a bit more detail. I can’t stress how important it is to provide your garden with the water it needs to stay healthy.
We are all guilty of purchasing plants or flowers in a feel good moment the minute warm weather declares it’s here to stay, only to neglect them once the real heat rolls in…when they need us the most.
My sister-in-law used to have the most beautiful landscaping. (Still does) She lived right behind my house, so her yard was the view from my kitchen. It was full of vibrant color and amazing texture, a real feast for the eyes. Every morning she would be out there moving the sprinkler from here to there and back again, but her garden rewarded her with beautiful blooms all Summer.
I had long given up on mine because it was too much of a commitment for me at the time. I knew this time was different. I didn’t want a hassle-free landscape; I wanted a beautiful garden that changed and evolved and grew to amazing beauty just the way my SIL’s did.
If you want a beautiful landscape and are willing to pour all that effort and money into it, you need to nurture it. That means get your lazy bum out there and water it!! (I’m talking about me. Ok and you too if you needed to hear that:)
I am going to share the best and easiest way I have found to water my garden. I was determined that if she could do it, so could I. But there is no way I am moving sprinklers from here to there and back again because my flower beds are just too big for that. I’d be out there all day! But I found a better way…
Meet my favorite garden helper:
This is a weeper hose. Its folded in two with a seam on one side that lets water trickle out of it. I originally purchased a few similar online, but found these at Walmart for I believe around $18. I have found them to be just as good. These are laid throughout the garden and then covered with mulch. Easy enough.
I started mine in an inconspicuous spot that was close to the water source. (I added this connector that has a shut off valve so I could shut the water off from here. It’s helpful, but not necessary. You can also hook up additional hoses with this.)
Then I wound through my flower bed.
I tried to lay the weeper hose as near to the base of as many plants as possible, but it is suppose to hydrate up to a two ft area.
Then I attached my hose and turned it on to check for kinks like this one:
You don’t want anything to impede the flow of water. Here is final placement after a little tweaking:
Now you can turn off the water and cover with mulch.
This is all you see:
Now you can head out in your PJs and hook your hose up to it, turn on the water, and go get ready for your day while the weeper hose takes care of watering your plants!
Smaller amount of water trickling over a longer period→water soaks down deeper→surface water dries up→roots reach deeper to find deeper water→stronger root system→healthier plant→happy gardener!!
The water also goes right to the roots. Unless your plants will be able to dry thoroughly before the sun sets, you should try to avoid getting water on their leaves. (For more details, you can google it…something to do with fungi, mold…)
I used two 50 ft lengths in my front flower bed. You can get a better idea of how big of an area that is here. The water flow is great all the way through. But 100 ft length was the limit for my water pressure.
How do I know when to water my plants?
Wilted leaves are a LATE sign that your plants need water. To check properly, I put my finger in the soil as far as it will go. If I can’t feel any moisture, I water. It ends up being about every three days; sooner if the temperatures get really hot.
It is also important to note that some of your plants may prefer a drier environment such as Russian Sage. In that case, keep the weeper hose farther away from that one.
On the other hand, my hydrangeas really soak up the water so they get a little extra when the hotter temps arrive.
How do I know when my plants have had enough water?
The same way, use your finger. If I can feel water all the way down, I turn off the water. You will eventually get to know how much is enough and then you can just time it!
This is also a great way to water your vegetable garden.
Even though this makes watering so much easier, I still do a happy dance when it rains 🙂
You might also enjoy seeing how I built my gate if you’re in the market for a new one:
XO,
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Tracy B says
Christy, I LOVE your blog! How did I live without it until yesterday???
xoxo,
Tracy
Christy K. James says
YOU are awesome for being kind enough to leave such a great compliment!! I’m so glad you’re here:)
Pinky says
Great idea. We are in a new home and just STARTING our landscaping, but have enjoyed gardening all our married life: 45 years!!!!!!!!!!!! I actually like to go out and water with a hose but this seems much more efficient and WAY less time consuming. Thanks for the tip. XO, Pinky
Christy K. James says
It can be very relaxing, but if you don’t have the time to commit to watering by hand, this is a great alternative:) good luck on your new landscaping 🙂
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
Great tips and after last years drought…I’m looking for tips like this! Thank you!
Christy K. James says
My pleasure, Danni! I’m working all of mine set up right now so I’ll be ready 🙂
Audra @ Renewed Projects says
The “finger test” is new to me but makes sense. Watering is the hardest thing for this lazy gardener to do and I’ve been brainstorming ways to make the garden work despite the gardener!lol Great idea!
Christy K. James says
I had to come up with some way to make watering easier or I knew I would get tired of it! The weeper hoses are great, they do all the work for me. As for the finger test… there may be a better way (I welcome any other advice), but I’ve found that to work for me 🙂
Simplee Sue says
This sounds intelligent. I can’t stand standing with a water hose until everything is watered. Soaker hose is a winner for me. You have a beautiful garden.
Consider yourself hugged,
http://simpleesue.com/frivolous-friday-bacon-corn-pancakes/
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sue! I couldn’t agree more…I have a couple of areas that are too small for a soaker hose that I still have to stand and water! It is really time consuming!
Krista @thehappyhousie says
Hi Christy,
I haven’t used soaker hoses since our first house (12 years ago) but think I might be ready to give them a try again after moving my sprinkler continuously all summer last year. Your post sold me on them again!! The garden looks fabulous all covered with that beautiful fresh mulch too!
Krista
Christy K. James says
It takes a minute to set them up, but they are so worth it. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Traci says
Even though we have automatic drip irrigation in our yard I have one raised flower bed that needs more water and this is a wonderful solution. thanks so much for this idea.
I can’t wait to set it up.
Traci
Cheryl~ZanyMayd says
Very clever idea, I have seen people use this type of hose for the landscaping, but they never seem to go the extra step & Cover the Hose! now that makes all the difference in the world ~ Thanks for sharing…
Cheryl
zany-mayd.blogspot.com
Christy K. James says
I imagine it wouldn’t look so great if you could see it. Thanks for visiting!
Christina at I Gotta Create! says
Great tip! Makes me want to get started 🙂
Thank you for partying with the Wildly Original Crowd.
<3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cristina!
Rita says
Thanks for the great tutorial. I love soaker hoses- they are the greatest!
Christy K. James says
A little set up to start, but so much more efficient 🙂
Alice (@mumsmakelists) says
Great advice!
I would love for you to link up this – and your other gardening posts – at the Empty Your Archive link party. We have a special focus this week on gardening, Alice @ Mums Make Lists x
Christy K. James says
Just linked up, Alice! Thanks for the invite 🙂
Kathleen says
I have done something similar for years. I buy the cheapest garden hoses possible and screw them together. Next, I wind them around my plants. Finally, I punch holes using an ice pick. You can cluster holes for larger plants and even send the water in a certain direction, depending on whether the hole is punched on the hose top or side. I have the first hose attached to a faucet with a battery run timer, No more dragging hoses around, or screwing and unscrewing them. It’s summertime heaven.
Christy K. James says
That is so smart! It’s much easier to water everything when it can all stay set up! 🙂
Jennifer says
Wow. Your garden and lawn is certainly beautiful. But I am disappointed in you. It doesn’t matter where you live, conserving water is everyone’s responsibility. You have a large audience, it is a shame you are not using it to help promote lawn conversion(a Huge water-waster)! Since you have your lawn and plants that require so much watering, you could at least use grey water from the washing machine.
Christy K. James says
Actually this saves water in comparison to just turning on sprinklers and letting them go, as the water gets right where it needs to. Also instead of spraying out at full speed, it seeps out in small amounts through the tiny holes.