When To Water Vegetables
Water is essential in growing vegetables, or any other plant for that matter. However, do you know how much water each type of vegetable needs?
In the areas where the soil is naturally dry, the most common mistake new gardeners make is to water too much.
It applies if you have a rich, balanced soil. You should increase frequency during hot, dry periods.
How much water the plant needs and when
| Vegetable | Critical time(s) to water for a 5-foot row | Number of gallons of water needed |
|---|---|---|
 Beans |
When flowers form and during pod-forming and picking | 2 per week depending on rainfall |
 Beets |
Before soil gets bone-dry | 1 at early stage; 2 every 2 weeks |
| Broccoli |
Don’t let soil dry out for 4 weeks after transplanting. | 1 to 1 ½ per week |
| Brussels sprouts |
Don’t let soil dry out for 4 weeks after transplanting. | 1 to 1 ½ per week |
 Cabbage |
Water frequently in dry weather for best crop | 2 per week |
| Carrots |
Before soil gets bone-dry | 1 at early stage; 2 every 2 weeks as roots mature |
| Cauliflower |
Water frequently for best crop. | 2 per week |
| Celery |
Water frequently for best crop. | 2 per week |
| Corn |
When tassels form and when cobs swell | 2 at important stages (left) |
| Cucumbers |
Water frequently for best crop. | 1 per week |
| Lettuce/Spinach |
Water frequently for best crop. | 2 per week |
| Onions |
In dry weather, water in early stage to get plants going. | ½ to 1 per week if soil is very dry |
| Parsnips |
Before soil gets bone-dry | 1 per week in early stages |
| Peas |
When flowers form and during pod-forming and picking | 2 per week |
| Potatoes |
When the size of marbles | 2 per week |
| Squash |
Water frequently for best crop. | 1 per week |
| Tomatoes |
For 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting and when flowers and fruit form | 1 gallon twice a week or more |
| Needs a lot of water during dry spells. |
Needs water at critical stages of development. |
Does not need frequent watering. |
In the morning or evening?
The absolute best time to water plants is in the early morning, while it is still cool. This will permit the water to keep running into the soil and achieve the underlying foundations of the plant without a lot of overabundance water lost to evaporation.
Watering in the early morning will likewise make the water accessible to the plants for the duration of the day so that the plants will have the capacity to deal better with the warmth of the sun.
In the event that you are watering vegetables in late evening, the warmth of the day should have generally passed, however there should still be enough sunlight left for the plants to be able to dry before sundown. Watering plants in the late evening or early night additionally eliminates evaporation and permits the plants a few hours without sun to take up water into their system.
Sources and references: www.gardeningknowhow.com
SEE ALSO: 3 DIY Self Watering Ideas For The Garden Perfect When You Are Going On A Holiday
