In the heat of the summer.....

[gina2000]

We're not quite there yet....but we're getting there....at least in NJ. My question is about WATERING that big ole garden in the summer heat.

Watering your garden to keep those posies happy is a big chore in the heat of the summer, especially if it's dry and you have water restrictions to follow. Most gardeners advocate soaking your perennial garden 2/3 times a week. With water restrictions in place, however, our area asks that you not use a sprinkler system but water "by hand". In other words....don't turn it on and forget it.....lotsa work.

How do you handle water restrictions? Do soaker hoses do the trick? Or do you stand out there and water by hand? Or are you like me....oh, well.....if it goes, I guess I'll just replace it next spring......(some gardener, ain't I?)

Amid.....your rainbarrel experiences are most welcome on this thread....but limit it to the garden getting watered....not you!

 

[amid chaos]

Weeeeeeeeell....i have a rain barrel, did you all know that?

It's full, did you know that too?

 

[Ranatra]

Gina, Luckily I haven't had to do much watering yet. We've had enough rain.
This hand watering is SO time consuming, esp. if you have a large area to water, which I do. I usually try to recruit DH to give me a hand. Ohhhh, it's going to be a long summer.

 

[Mamu]

Gina in the past I have not had watering problems. Been able to use sprinklers every other day during certain hours.

This year we have been on a very strict water ban. Although 3 week ago we got a inch of rain, last week 2 1/2 inches and over the weekend about 3 inches. My problem now is too much rain and plants covered in mud.

I do think there probably will be a problem as the summer heat is on it's way. It takes me all day with a watering can and I can't even get to half the plants. I plan on using soaker hoses in the front. If places just above the root of the plants they do work and will actually conserve water. I'm thinking maybe I have too many gardens, this obsession with plants needs to stop, as I head-out the door to the nursery.

 

[LisaF]

No restriction on watering yet in Ohio. We are currently 5 inches above what is normal at this time of year!! If there is a ban, we can water every other day between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m.

I also don't think there is a water restriction in the SW corner of Pa.!! We spent the last 3 days camping in a monsoon type rain!!

 

[SideshowBob]

We did have restrictions... but HAVE to be lifted soon, methinks... as has been POURING for many days now.

GOOD for the plants,

BAD for SSB and tennis playing!!!