Watering

Plants take in food and water through minute hair roots which are, according to the type of plant, 2 to 14 in/5 to 35 cm below the surface of the soil. One of the main problems in gardening is to provide, and maintain, sufficient moisture at these levels.

Plants with shallow root systems, particularly seedlings and small transplants, have their roots in warm soil which quickly dries in either bright sunlight or when exposed to wind. When these drying conditions are present, the shallow rooted plants may need frequent light sprinklings to maintain optimum growth. But light surface sprinklings of this type have no effect on feeding roots at lower levels, and a dampened top soil is no indication of sufficient moisture within the feeding root area. It is obvious that pouring water on the surface of the soil is a primitive way of getting water and food down to the root area.

An underground irrigation system, such as used in greenhouse benches, would be more practical, but to date, no simple and efficient system has been designed for the home garden.

A dry soil does not absorb water readily, the tendency being for water to spread over the surface rather than penetrate, therefore a certain amount of moisture must be present in the soil at all times to provide a path down which further applications can flow.




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