| Efficient water management is one of the most | | | | Digging furrows around the plants helps in reducing |
| important prerequisites to cultivate a healthy | | | | loss of water through evaporation. |
| vegetable garden. If it is an area where the water | | | | There are many types of irrigation systems like |
| table is low and rains are not very frequent, it is all | | | | micro-spray, sprinklers, drip systems, soaker hoses |
| the more important to optimize water usage. This | | | | etc. It is very important to decide what irrigation |
| vegetable gardening guide will help you learn various | | | | system to use depending on water availability and |
| ways of water management and choose what best | | | | evaporation rate. |
| suits your requirements. | | | | Rain is an important factor that should be considered |
| To cultivate a healthy garden, one must study the | | | | before laying water management procedures. |
| soil well. Soils hold varying amounts of water | | | | Watering should not be usually done before or after |
| depending upon the percentage of silt, sand and | | | | the rain to avoid overwatering and root rot. Rain |
| organic matter. Soils with greater amount of clay and | | | | gardens are a good way of preserving rain water |
| silt have a finer texture and hence hold more water. | | | | and also collect run-offs from alleys, roofs etc. These |
| Water is absorbed very slowly through clay soils, | | | | gardens have a depression in the center causing |
| hence watering should also be done slowly. On the | | | | water to collect there. |
| other hand, water seeps in very fast through sandy | | | | Rain barrels can also be installed to save the rain |
| soils; therefore, organic content should be added to | | | | water and reduce runoff. Water from a fish tank can |
| improve water holding capacity. | | | | also be disposed off on the flower beds. The |
| Avoiding excessive evaporation is another important | | | | excreta of the fish and green algae are rich in |
| aspect of water management. Watering should be | | | | nitrogen and phosphorus. This helps conserve water |
| usually done in the morning or evening, as | | | | too. Thus, you can use the information provided in |
| evaporation rate is at its highest in the afternoon. | | | | this vegetable garden guide for optimization of water |
| Watering should be avoided under windy conditions | | | | usage in your organic garden. |
| as strong winds increase the rate of evaporation too. | | | | |