Water
- To make every drop count, don't water in the middle of the day. Instead water in the early morning or wait until dusk, when the temperature and rate of evaporation have abated.
- For a good start, water the ground thoroughly before and after applying a mulch cover.
Soaker hoses deliver water directly to the base of the plant, reducing moisture loss from evaporation. Early morning is the best time of day to water. - Frequent, shallow waterings lead to plants that develop shallow roots in the top 1 or 2" of the soil, where they find moisture. When you go away for a week, the surface of the soil dries out quickly and your plants suffer. Practice watering deeply and less often.
