June 23, 1997
There are numerous options for applying water to plants, each with its own specific use. A sprinkling can is most valuable as a decorative item around the house. However, it is also useful in the garden for gently watering young plants when you have only a few. Likewise, it is useful for watering a few container plants on a balcony that does not have access to a faucet. Remembering that water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon helps new gardeners decide if they prefer to carry a watering can or drag a hose.
Garden Hose Good for Newly Emerging Seeds
A garden hose with a fan nozzle or spray attachment is valuable for watering newly emerging seed, young transplants, or other plants that need frequent, shallow waterings. Deep penetrating waterings are nearly impossible to achieve with a hand-held hose.
A portable lawn sprinkler provides slow overhead watering and a wonderful place for kids to play in the hot summer. Unfortunately, much of the water from a sprinkler is lost to evaporation or runoff as it lands on a driveway or street. It is important to select a sprinkler that most nearly fits the size and shape of the area you wish to water.
If Using Sprinkler, Adjust Rate to Half Inch Per Hour
Adjust the rate of water application to about 1/2 inch per hour because a faster rate will cause runoff in most soils. To determine the rate for a sprinkler, place small cans at various places within the sprinkler's reach, then check the level of water in the cans at 15-minute intervals.
Wet foliage overnight can encourage diseases, so do not use sprinkle irrigation in the evening. Morning watering is preferred as there will be less water lost to evaporation than in the heat of the day.
A soaker hose may be made of several different materials, but the principle is the same - water is applied slowly and directly to the soil. A soaker hose is simply laid at the base of the plants and can be moved around the garden. Properly used, a soaker hose eliminates many of the problems of the overhead sprinkler, such as loss to evaporation and diseases caused by wet foliage.
Drip Irrigation System Can Be Installed for Long-Term Use
A drip or trickle irrigation system is similar to a soaker hose but is installed for long-term use in one location. Many simple systems are available that are permanently installed and last three to five years before replacement. There is also the emitter-type system, best used for orchards, container gardens, or separate plants, in which short tubes, or emitters, come off a main water supply hose and go to the roots of the individual plants. This is generally the most expensive form of irrigation and the most complex to set up.
This type of system is used in combination with a coarse mulch or black plastic. Drip systems can have problems with clogging from soil particles and/or mineral salts suspended in water taken from springs or wells. New designs take this problem into consideration; some include filters and self-flushing emitters. It is wise to make a complete investigation and comparison before purchasing a drip irrigation system.
More gardening information is available in the Virginia Gardener Newsletter.
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