Deep Watering - How to do it & Why it Matters to Your Garden

[mariomejia]

My gardening life started with the question on google, “how to grow a mango tree from seed” it lead me to watching a series of videos about growing mango trees from seed. A year later now those little mango trees I started have all died but my love of gardening stuck. I have 4 tomato plants 3 squash plants, a few pepper plants, basil, pineapple sage, oregano, dill, cabbage, beans, and sunflowers. This is only my second “growing season” but I know I’ll garden for the rest of my life and I want to say thank you Luke for all of the amazing videos I’ve learned so much from you and many other garden YouTube channels. I’m always exited to see when you put up a new video and most importantly I’m always exited about gardening today and the thought of gardening in the future. Thank you so much for all of the content that you produce. Grow Big or Go Home.

[iartistdotme]

Fifty years ago I planted thirty confederate jasmine along my chain length fence. I used our tax refund to pay for them and money was short but I wanted privacy more in my backyard than new clothes. I didn't want to lose any of the plants and was fresh to planting anything. They told me to use a good but gentle flow around the base while counting to 30 slowly and I did and the hedge grew thick and lush. I've never heard much about watering but followed that advice and really soak the ground around a plant in the evening so more will go down instead of evaporating in the HOT Florida sun. Finally someone is addressing this and so glad your explained so well. Always wondered if I was overdoing it but always had such good returns. Thank you so much for this vital and simple information and explanation.

[katdunn]

I'm glad I've been counting 15 to 20 seconds each plant I water. My husband watered my plants a few days ago, and I told him just count to 15 or 20 slowly, and it should be enough. Only at the roots, not on the leaves. Thanks for the video!

[jessstuart]

I use my hand-held $15 soil moisture meter daily. The probe has a copper tube, with an insulated zinc tip on the end. It can measure the soil moisture to a depth of about 10 inches.

[josephcianci]

I bought a drip irrigation system a month ago . What a difference it made in my garden. The plants doubled in size with regular deep watering.You can get drippers that drip at different rates the one’s I have are1/2 gallon per hour, 3 hours later all 45 plants are deep watered at the root no weeds watered no water wasted. Beautiful!

[growingingracebyhisgrace]

To find out how long it takes for a gallon of water to come out of your hose, turn it on in an empty (at least a gallon) bucket(with the sprayer you use attached) and at the power you would be spraying in the garden, then count off until you have a gallon of water. Gary from rusted garden shared this tip. Thanks for this timely info, and your humor Luke! God bless brother! 😇

[vward]

I was one of those who was curious about deep watering. Thank you for doing this video.

[terideyo]

Luke, I'd like to see how you water your raised beds. I don't think I've ever seen you water your beds. Please show us!

[marykessler]

My plants and I always recommend a soil moisture meter. They are usually under $15, and they take the guesswork out of watering.

[janethaig]

I learned a lot by watching this video. Thank you for taking the time to explain the difference between the two types of watering. I use rain water as much as I can.

[TigOlBitties]

I'm a total newbie. But have read and heard this over and over. I started my first seeds in april. I have huge beautiful healthy plants. I'm growing a TON of things and have had great success with this method already. Several people have asked me how my garden is so healthy. I tell them good soil, proper water and TLC. Because that's the truth. ❤ Thank you Luke, between you and Jess yall have helped me grow for my family.

[dustman]

Much respect for your direct and unapologetic approach recently. There are certain truths in gardening which are pretty simple but not well known, and you are doing a good job of exposing them. Gardening is really pretty simple if you get down to the fundamentals. Once you have the fundamentals down all that is left is to choose the right plants for your season and environment.

[lorischwarz]

You always have the best information and explain it really well. Your my #1 gardener and go to guy.

[TheGardenDoc]

Literally laughed out loud at the Bob Ross bit. Hilarious.

[angnbama]

Thank YOU! I am in zone 8b - Lower Alabama - clay - Limestone soil. In the past 3 years I have started composting - it is finally getting to where it needs to be (note 3 yrs. due to unforeseen life happenings:) So grateful learning the deep watering! This has made a huge difference in my garden - best crop thus far- LOVED the BOB ROSS clip - just great!! I did hear you say watering at night - My grandma said early in morning - at night here for my soil - humidity mold/mildew will grow enormously if water at night - I remembered you saying in a vid that we need to know our environmental needs for my soil ph/fertilizer/rain etc - I can see a difference learning my area and learning so much from you - thank you

[joeandliz-acrehomestead]

I saw your latest video on watering deeply! Then that's when it clicked.


I think I finally figured out why I'm loosing so many tomatoe plants.


Every tomatoe plant in my raised bed had a very small root ball. They looked good until July when higher temperatures and more intense sun arrived.


The root ball was to small and not deep enough to support the plant. Now that was probably because I planted them but never watered properly to build a root system.


Like many people we had rain often but I guess it was not deep enough and I didn't water.


Luckily I have backup plants grown from suckers and still can try again.


I really enjoy your videos and love buying your seeds. Keep up the great work. 


I really should follow your way of planting garden for better success.  It really does work.

[eriklane]

Thanks for this, Luke! Sometimes, even when I think I’m deep watering, I realize I may not be. It gets very hot and dry here in summer so I need to practice this method and implement your tips!

[isabelleblain]

Next to my tomato plants I have cola bottles (with bottom cut out) on spikes that send the water 2-3 inches below surface. I make sure to fill the bottle twice or even three times during heatwaves.

[ljgrow]

Great advice! I call it "flood irrigating" and I water my tomatoes, peppers, squash and cucumbers in this manner. Works great and produces the best yield.
Thanks for all of your tips and suggestions!

[monicasmith]

Brilliant, thank you. Deep watering is something I’ve always done intuitively, but never really thought about the horticultural reasons for. 😊