Thoughts on Watering the Garden as Drought Approaches

Most of us here in Fayette County got more rain than we needed a few weeks ago. Where did it all go?

I really need to build a rainwater collection system. I could use it right now. One of these days, I’m going to put a new roof on my house. And when I do, I’m going to invest in gutters and rainwater tanks. But for now, my garden relies on well water to survive dry spells like this one.

Anyone who grows a garden has seen how plants seem to thrive after a rain shower. They never seem to respond the same way to water from a faucet. There are a few reasons for that. Rainwater is usually slightly acidic, and most plants prefer growing in a slightly acidic environment. Tap water is often treated to make it slightly alkaline. Irrigating regularly with tap water can affect the pH of the soil.

In addition, rainwater contains nitrates – a form of nitrogen that plants can easily take up. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for plant growth, and it also makes up most of the atmosphere on earth. As rain falls from the sky, lightning and electrical currents in the sky react with nitrogen and infuse rain droplets with nitrates. Plants can absorb these nitrates when the rain soaks into the soil.

Supposedly, rain that falls from a strong lightning storm contains more nitrate than rain from a storm without lightning.

If your water comes from a public utility, it probably has chlorine in it. Chlorine kills microorganisms and pathogens in water, making it safe for us to drink. However, this is not ideal for growing plants. Chlorine at the levels present in public utility water will not kill plants, but it does kill beneficial microorganisms in the soil.

As an organic gardener, I strive to build up healthy soil full of bacteria that converts dead organic matter into nutrients that plants can use. Algae in the soil undergoes photosynthesis, converting light, water and carbon dioxide into oxygen – literally breathing life into the soil. Chlorine kills bacteria and algae.

Thankfully for all of you city-dwellers, chlorine is easy enough to remove from water. Just fill up a tub or drum and let it sit overnight. The chlorine in the water will convert to gas and evaporate into the atmosphere. You can then use this water for your plants without any fear of harming the soil microbes.

During these dry days, some gardeners set up a sprinkler to water their garden. I don’t think this is a good idea. The sprinkler sprays water all over the leaves. Water standing on leaves acts like a lens, which magnifies sunlight and burns the plant tissue. This does not happen during a natural rain shower, because clouds shade the harsh sunlight. In addition, a lot of the water that comes from a sprinkler evaporates without soaking into the soil.

I think it’s better to water the soil. Some folks set up drip tape or drip line irrigation in their gardens. These systems work great at conserving water. You can irrigate each plant individually without watering every square inch of the garden. This cuts down on weed pressure as well. Several manufacturers make devices to inject liquid fertilizer into the irrigation lines, which makes fertilizing a breeze.

Those of us without an irrigation system have to use a water hose or a watering can. If you use a water hose, you need a shower wand. I’m pretty particular about shower wands. They need the right kind of head to spray a gentle shower of water that won’t harm plants or disturb the roots. I prefer a long shower wand as well, that way I can reach farther when watering without dragging a water hose all throughout the garden.

Old fashioned watering cans are my favorite watering devices. I prefer two-gallon cans. You don’t have to worry about damaging plants while dragging a hose through the garden. You can mix liquid fertilizer in a watering can and apply it to the roots. I like to mix an ounce or two of liquid molasses and apple cider vinegar in the watering can every time I water my plants. Molasses and apple cider vinegar both boost microbial life in the soil. And some folks think that regular applications of molasses can keep nutgrass at bay. I’ve been using molasses in my garden for several years and I think it has helped with the nutgrass. Watering cans provide the easiest way to get it in the soil.