The Mittleider soil bed method of gardening
simplifies watering and conserves water. Here's
why:
- Plants receive water where they can make the
best use of it (at the roots).
- Water is conserved by minimizing evaporation
and over-watering.
- The same water irrigates two rows of plants at
the same time, thus cutting in half the amount
of water used in conventional methods.
Ideally, watering should be done before the soil
dries out. Constant moisture in the soil at the
root level is necessary for healthy plants.
A Simple Way to Water Your Garden
Step 1: Tie a Rag to the Garden Hose
Wrap the rag several times around the hose, and
extend the rag 12 inches past the end of the hose.
This will modify the speed of the water coming out
of the hose without affecting the water volume.
Step 2: Turn the Water on Full Volume
Water should flood the 12 inch flattened width of
the soil bed and quickly move to the end of the bed
(usually in less than 5 minutes the first time, and
2-3 minutes thereafter).
Step 3: Allow Water to Reach the End of the Bed
By the time the water reaches the end, it should
have reached the base of each ridge, bringing water
to the stems and roots of the plants.
Step 4: Move the Hose to the Next Bed
Lift the hose and rag and move it to the next bed.
Step 5: Water Daily
If drainage is satisfactory (and it doesn't rain),
water the beds daily.
Watering Tip: Less water is lost to evaporation
if you water in the cool of the early morning.
Water at any time of day if the plants show a
need for it. Don’t wait!
Watering Questions and Answers
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Q.
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Is sprinkling a good way to water?
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A.
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No. Sprinkling wastes water and encourages weed
growth in the aisles. Sprinkling also promotes
fungus diseases such as mildew and mold growth
on leaves.
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Q.
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I am going to try the Mitleider method this year.
Watering is done by irrigation once a week. Is
this all right? Is there anything different I
should do?
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A.
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No matter what "Method" you use, plants need
constant moisture, and must have it or they die.
In the arid West, irrigation turns on a weekly
basis were the best farmers could do, and so
their plants had to grow very long, deep root
systems to follow the water table down between
irrigation turns. That takes a great deal of
energy and time away from producing top growth,
including leaves and fruit, but if that is the
best you can do, you'll have to live with it.
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Remember: Use raised - ridged soil beds, and make
them level, then water as often as necessary to
maintain moisture in the soil. Don't over-water!
Soggy soil for any length of time can drown your
plants.
Next week we’ll talk about tomatoes!
Jim Kennard
Jim Kennard
is President of the
Food For Everyone
Foundation, a non-profit organization with the
mission of "Teaching the world to grow food one
family at a time". You'll find many free vegetable
gardening resources, including a gardening ebook,
greenhouse plans, automated watering plans, and
a free chapter from each of the great gardening
books and software CD's Jim offers, at the
website:
www.foodforeveryone.org
