According to the Master Gardeners of Sonoma County, “Efficient watering means putting the right amount of water, in the right place, just at the plants needing it, without excess, runoff, overspray, or waste.”*
The first principle of efficient watering is to water the soil, not the plant. Although overhead sprinklers are common for watering lawns, they are not ideal for garden plants. Regularly wetting leaves can contribute to fungus and mildew problems, not to mention that large water loss due to evaporation. Instead of spraying your garden from overhead, direct the water precisely where the plants will use it, at the soil level, using drip irrigation.
To discover the basics of drip irrigation, installation and maintenance, and calculating drip irrigation schedules, visit the Masters Gardeners of Sonoma County website.
