Watering is one of the trickiest parts of growing a garden. Plants can’t have too much or too little water, and striking that balance is harder than many of us would like. If your garden is currently struggling with moisture retention, we’re here to reveal a few ways to improve it. Read on to make your plants happy again!
Add Organic Mulch
Mulching is one of the most effective ways to conserve moisture. Organic mulch could be straw, wood chips, or shredded bark, and all you have to do is spread it over the soil around your plants. This layer reduces water evaporation, blocks sunlight from drying out the soil, and suppresses thirsty weeds. Plus, as organic mulch breaks down, it enriches your soil with nutrients and gives your plants another boost!
Try Soil Amendments
If your soil quality issues are bigger than what mulch can solve, you might have to try additional soil amendments. One popular one is vermiculite. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that absorbs water like a sponge, releasing it gradually back into the soil. It’s lightweight and blends easily into garden beds. However, as with any amendment, there are pros and cons of gardening with vermiculite, so be sure to assess your specific gardening needs before incorporating it fully. If vermiculite won’t work for you, consider compost, peat moss, manure, or coir dust.
Raise the Garden Beds
Raised garden beds give you more control over soil quality and moisture content. They’re especially useful if you’re dealing with sandy or clay-heavy soil, as you can fill the beds with well-draining yet water-retentive soil mixes. Raised beds also encourage deep root growth, which helps plants access moisture in the lower layers of soil.
Water Wisely
Instead of frequent shallow watering, try deep, infrequent irrigation. This encourages plants to develop strong, deep roots for better water uptake. Drip irrigation systems are particularly effective, as they deliver water straight to the root zones and minimize evaporation.
Next Steps for a Thriving Garden
Improving your garden’s moisture retention is possible with soil amendments, raised garden beds, and adapted watering schedules. Try one or more of these methods, and you just might be rewarded with plants that thrive better than ever before!