I’m wondering how people approach watering their gardens. I feel like I over-water. If there’s no rain, I run my soaker hoses twice a week for 1/2 hour periods. I think the general rule of thumb is 1 inch per week. Seems like there are lots of other variables to consider, though: type of plant, plant maturity, heat/humidity, etc.
Type of plant is a huge variable as is the age…new trees and shrubs need more water to get established…obviously, garden vegetables will need more water than a tree or shrubs…you’re right though, most people do have a tendency to over water.
for my well established trees/shrubs I’ll only water if there hasn’t been any appreciable rain fall for 2 weeks or if they start looking limp…I’d rather train the roots tohunt for the water than run the risk of making them shallow or causing root rot…
seedlings right now, lots of water, well above 1 inch a week. Beds with, say, turnips and other deep rooted plants, do not need as much water. Beds with shallow rooted plants (potato, allium, beans) more than one inch. I notice that, despite being there watering every day, the cardoon is getting no water, and it does not mind.