How much water per square foot?

garden_noob 6/30/2010, 7:21 pm

New garden planted about 3-4 weeks ago (weeks are blending) and only a few things have popped up. I know it can be up to 8 weeks for some things to sprout but I'm concerned about water.

How much water should each square foot get in a 4x4 bed? And does it matter what format it is? ie. 4x4, 8x2, etc. Does the amount per foot ever change based on area (not depth)?

Thanks.

kimbertangleknot 6/30/2010, 8:41 pm

Mel says "a cup of sun warmed water per plant," when using his mix. I'm not, so my watering is different, so I'm sure other people can help with more specific with the Mix. Just try not to water the leaves of the plant, that's how a lot of leaf diseases start and spread. You don't have to be perfect, just be careful.

If you have a bottomless box, I would assume one way to see if you are watering to much is to saturate everything, since the Mix will hold onto as much water as it possibly can, and if it runs out the bottom you are good. From that point on, depending on how hot it gets where you are you may have to water once a day, two times a day, once every other day... It really does depend on where you are.

I hope that helps a little.

PeggyC 6/30/2010, 10:34 pm

it generally takes me 2 full 2.5 gallon watering cans to do a 4x4 bed, but it's all going to depend on what you have planted, how big it is, daytime temps, night time temps, rainfall, etc.

The book DOES say 1 cup of sun-warmed water per square, and if I were you, I'd go with that and adjust accordingly.

boffer 6/30/2010, 10:37 pm

kimbertangleknot wrote:Mel says "a cup of sun warmed water per plant," when using his mix.

A lot of gardening guides say 1 to 1 1/2 inches per week-does anybody measure? During a dry spell, it would be very easy to measure: one inch=3/4 gallon. (This is sfg-closies count)

Most folks don't measure. I can only offer my watering practinces: newly seeded squares get a light watering 2-3 times per day until they spout. Then, it depends on the weather. If the sun is shining in the morning, I water. If no sun, then no water. Keep it simple!

Chopper 7/1/2010, 2:09 am

I concur with boffer. For new seeds/seedlings I keep it moist all of the time. If that means watering all day, I will. But here in the dry Inland Empire, for newly planted squares I usually water twice a day.

Retired Member 1 7/1/2010, 8:30 am

For seed beds, I water 2 - 3 times a day with a sprinkler (can or hose end depending on size of area to be watered). When the plants emerge, I change to hand watering by a small bucket unless it's extremely dry. The task is not to let the Mel's mix dry out and it's very difficult to rehydrate. If the top layer is dry, stick your finger into the mix and make sure it is damp a couple of inches and further down. If not water lightly several times that day to rehydrate.

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