Observation, Watering and Mulching
Observation and Integrated Problem Management
A daily visit or tour of your garden provides you with an immense amount of
information as well as pleasure. Try to make a daily tour of the entire garden. Some days are pretty hectic and time or weather doesn't always permit observation. A casual stroll among the plants is relaxing and informative most days. What's new, what's up and coming, what's growing old or in need of care? Does mulch or compost need replenishment? Is any pruning necessary? Is the irrigation system still operating efficiently and meeting the needs of the plants?
Observation helps the gardener to head off problems from pests, pathogens or weeds. Are
insects present and are they friend or foe? Are plants under siege; is it a full-scale attack
or just a few bites here and there? Observation is the first step in an integrated pest (or
problem) management program (IPM). Frequent visual inspection of your plants and
landscape is the most important step in integrated problem management. It is much easier
to manage a problem in the early stages, whether it is a weed seedling or beginning of a
disease or pest infestation.
The subject of integrated pest management is covered in its own section.
The season and years roll by; sun and shade patterns change as trees, shrubs and
herbaceous perennials reach their mature growth. Or old growth dies, felled by lightening
or high winds. Maybe it is not even shade from your garden that changes, but that of your
neighbor's shade. Whether subtle or sudden, change occurs. Take note and act on it as early as
possible.
Watering
The proper amount of water to supplement varies from plant to plant, week to week. This topic is covered in depth in the Efficient Use of Water, Water Conservation Tips section of my website and Appropriate Plants, definition of water-use.
In addition to the plant itself (its age and health and general water requirement), factors to consider for frequency and amount of irrigation are:
- Soil type, sand, clay, caliche
- Drainage capacity (texture) of soil
- Water holding capacity
- Organic and inorganic amendments in the soil
- Wind
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Cloud cover
- Mulch cover
Throughout my website, when I refer to water requirements of plants, my general definition refers to clay soil, rather than sandy soil, based on my own experience or the experience of other area gardeners.
- Low water-use plants require 1 inch of supplemental irrigation per month during the growing season under our average climate conditions.
- Medium water-use plants require 1 inch of supplemental irrigation every two weeks during the growing season under our average climate conditions.
- High water-use plants require 1 inch of supplemental irrigation per week during the growing season under our average climate conditions.
Mulching
Mulching is covered in depth in this website under the page Mulch.