How do I water my soil-beds?
The soil-bed method simplifies watering and conserves water.
- Plants receive water where they can make the best use of it (at the roots).
- Water is conserved by minimizing evaporation and over-watering.
- The same water supplies two rows of plants at the same time, thus cutting in half the amount of water used in conventional methods.
Here is the procedure for watering soil-beds.
Step 1: Tie a Rag to the Garden Hose. Wrap the rag several times around the hose. This will modify the speed of the water coming out of the hose without affecting the water volume.
Step 2: Turn the Water on Full VolumeWater should flood the 12-inch flattened width of the soil-bed and quickly move to the end of the bed (usually in less than 5 minutes).
Step 3: Allow Water to Reach End of BedBy the time the water reaches the end, it should have reached the base of each ridge, bringing water to the stems and roots of the plants.
Step 4: Move the Hose to the Next BedLift the hose and rag and move it to the next bed.
Learn More
- Automating Watering The Mittleider Gardening Course(pp. 57-58)
- Effective Water Systems Grow-Bed Gardening (pp. 103-108)
Step 5: Water DailyIf drainage is satisfactory, water the beds daily.
Tips
Less water is lost to evaporation if you water in the cool of the early morning. Water at any time of day if plants show a need for it. Don’t wait.
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Tip of the Day
It's Spring Planting Time! For those of you in the Northern hemisphere who have winters, March and early April are the time you need to be preparing your soil and planting the hardy vegetable crops such as radishes, peas, cabbage and broccoli.
The freeze/thaw cycles of winter have broken up and loosened most soils, so as soon as it's not muddy, go in and give everything a good weeding with the 2-way hoe (see Tools). Weeding thoroughly this early gives you the upper hand, and is very important.
If you grew a Mittleider garden last year, your beds will be easy to re-make. Just apply Pre-Plant and Weekly Feed to the bed area, then till them in, place strings on your stakes, and re-make the beds.
Be sure to re-check the level of each bed accurately, since they may have changed a little. Do not be satisfied with anything more than 1" fall in a 30'-long soil-bed. Good Gardening!
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