Use Trowel to Check Soil Moisture After Watering

Almost everyone knows that applying more water less frequently adds up to less water needed to maintain moisture down in the soil where the roots of plants really want the moisture. A soil probe can be a very useful tool, but in many cases the use of a hand trowel will do.

A true soil check involves checking the soil for moisture before and after you water. Wait about an hour to check so that you allow the water you have applied to really sink in to the depth it goes.

For shrubs, the first two to four inches should be dry before you need to water. That means the soil beneath that depth should be showing some indication of moisture. Trees should have four to six inches of dryness before watering.

Lawns do not need to be watered as long as you can walk across the grass and your footprints disappear within two to three minutes. When this happens, you can check the depth of moisture and water accordingly.

Remember that watering should be slow and should be stopped the moment any runoff starts. Check and see how much penetration you have and water again if needed. Keep it up until you’ve been able to get water down to six inches. Several products will help water penetrate the soil and make excellent use of all available water. Using mulch greatly enhances the retention of water and keeps plants healthier.

You should be able to keep a simple record so that you can plan when you need to water. Be sure to check with your local garden center for the exact requirements for your shrubs and trees. You may be able to lengthen the time considerably between watering and the depth of dryness before finding a need. You can really help make a green, clean and WaterWise California.