How long should I water each plant with a hose.?

Question

Hi there,
I have just started a veggie garden and will be watering via hose or bucket (due to water restrictions). Just wondering about how long I should water each plant for? I usually put half a bucket of water on each plant is that enough? I'm watering every couple of days at the moment as I've only just put the seedlings in, however I would like to water once a week. If watering once a week would half a bucket of water for each plant be enough? The plants are eggplant, tomato, zucchini etc.

Answer 1

As said above the water must go through the root zone but more than that is wasted. How well it penetrates depends on the soil type. Poke a hole and feel the soil before watering. Poke another hole after watering. If the soil feels dry and warm, you need more water. If it is cold throughout the depth of the root zone, it is probably moist enough.
Soil type or texture is a major determining factor of how much water a soil will hold, or how quickly a soil can be irrigated. For example, 1 inch of water applied to a sandy soil will penetrate 12 inches. It will move anywhere from 6-10 inches into a good loam soil, and in a clay soil it will percolate down only 4-5 inches.
When watering, allow the soil to become wet to a depth of 5 to 7 inches. Generally speaking, if you keep your tomatoes happy, the rest of the vegetables will receive enough water.
This will be in the range of 2" per week in hot weather as measured with a rain gauge or small can. Sandy soil will be best watered twice a week and well mulched.
Since sandy soil will need more frequent watering than clay heavy soil it may be worth doing a hand soil evaluation or squeeze test.
How to with pictures on the soil test
http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/how-to/articles/hows-your-soil-texture.aspx

If you wish to use the bucket 1" of water for an area 1 foot square is 2/3 gal.

To calculate the volume for your entire bed measure the area of the bed in feet.
If you need 1 inch water use 1in = .0833ft
Example: 3ft. x Width: 40 ft. x Height: 0.083 ft.= 9.96 cu ft
Now convert to gallons using 7.48gal/cu ft.
9.96 cu ft x 7.48gal/cu ft = 75gal

Answer 2

Put an empty tuna can in the middle of the plants (about one-and-a-half inches). Spray the water evenly over the area and when the can is full, quit. That way they are getting 3/4" per day on average. 1" per day would be OK, too -- fill the tuna can and water for another few minutes after the can is full.

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Answer 3

Or you dig gently to find out the depth of the plant roots..but they're probably at a max about 11" for a young garden. Water for your normal time and then just before the edge of your watering area(not too near the edge) dig vertically to see how far down the water has penetrated. If it is deep enough to reach the roots then your good. Adjust as needed.

Answer 4

Can you get a soaker hose to your garden? That works great for mine. I have areas that I have to haul water to, so I fill up gallon milk jugs (rinsed really well) and poke a few small holes in the side or bottom and place as close as I can to the plant with causing any growth restrictions. The jugs water up to 4 days at the best and 2 at the worse.

Answer 5

I'd say keep the water on for 8-12 hours. No since in risking it!