{"id":11219,"date":"2022-08-08T14:07:39","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T14:07:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=11219"},"modified":"2022-09-08T21:50:55","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T21:50:55","slug":"pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"The Pros and Cons of Hand Watering Plants"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Long before sprinklers, soaker hoses and irrigation systems were part of the landscape, people hand-watered the plants in their gardens. Hand watering is still practiced today, especially among folks with small yards and those who like an up-close view of the plants. This article will walk you through the pros and cons of hand watering.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-f111e3d8-5300-4fce-bfaf-5eb6df9721f6\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#0-different-methods-of-hand-watering\" style=\"\">Different methods of hand watering<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#1-the-pros\" style=\"\">The pros:<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#2-timing-isn%E2%80%99t-everything\" style=\"\">Timing isn\u2019t everything<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#3-uses-less-water\" style=\"\">Uses less water<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#4-puts-water-where-it%E2%80%99s-needed\" style=\"\">Puts water where it\u2019s needed<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#5-ensures-proper-irrigation-of-potted-plants\" style=\"\">Better for potted plants<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#6-allows-close-inspection-of-plants\" style=\"\">Allows close inspection of plants<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#7-its-calming\" style=\"\">Calming and relaxing<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#8-the-cons-of-hand-watering\" style=\"\">The cons:<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#9-hoses-are-unwieldy\" style=\"\">Hoses are unwieldy<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#10-requires-more-effort\" style=\"\">Requires more effort<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#11-is-time-consuming\" style=\"\">Is time-consuming<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-hand-watering-plants\/#12-the-final-word\" style=\"\">The final word<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-different-methods-of-hand-watering\"><span id=\"different-methods-of-hand-watering\">Different methods of hand watering<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_hand-water-nature-grass-plant-field-715726-pxherecom.jpg\" alt=\"hand watering using a hose\" class=\"wp-image-11224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_hand-water-nature-grass-plant-field-715726-pxherecom.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_hand-water-nature-grass-plant-field-715726-pxherecom-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_hand-water-nature-grass-plant-field-715726-pxherecom-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_hand-water-nature-grass-plant-field-715726-pxherecom-610x406.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/pxhere.com\/en\/photo\/715726\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pxhere<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You don\u2019t need a hose to hand water. You can hand water with a bucket or watering can. However, the hose makes it easier to get water to plants without the heavy lifting.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If using a hose<\/strong>, measure the distance<strong> <\/strong>from the spigot to the farthest point in the garden. Buy a garden hose closest to that length. Purchase a watering wand that has a showerhead nozzle. The wand adds another 30 inches of reach, and showerheads provide a gentle sprinkle that won\u2019t wash out the soil around the plant.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Punch small holes in a 5-gallon bucket <\/strong>and place it in the area you want to water. Center the bucket amid three or four plants so they get watered all at once. Fill the bucket and let the water seep out. When the bucket is empty, move it to a new space, fill the bucket, let it drain, or store it until next time. This method uses less water and reduces the chance of overwatering.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-the-pros\"><span id=\"the-pros\">The pros<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-timing-isn%E2%80%99t-everything\"><span id=\"timing-isnt-everything\">Timing isn\u2019t everything<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The time of day is not as critical when hand watering. When using a sprinkler, it\u2019s advisable to water in the early morning ahead of the midday heat. During the hottest part of the day, water evaporates before it has a chance to soak into the ground and nourish plant roots. You also don\u2019t want to use a sprinkler in the evening and allow water to sit on plant leaves all night, creating a moist environment for fungus to develop.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With hand watering, gardeners can direct water at the plant\u2019s base. This mostly negates the effects of evaporation and fungus development.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-uses-less-water\"><span id=\"uses-less-water\">Uses less water<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sprinklers project water into the air and over plants, allowing some of it to drift in the wind or evaporate from leaves. But hand watering allows gardeners to direct water precisely where it\u2019s needed, minimizing drift and evaporation.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But how much water does your garden need?<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Plants need 1 inch of water a week<\/strong> during the growing season as a rule of thumb. That\u2019s a little over<a href=\"https:\/\/www.omnicalculator.com\/construction\/gallons-per-square-foot\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> .6 gallons per square foot.<\/a> A rain gauge tracks how much rainfall you\u2019ve had. Supplement rainfall with hand watering as needed to get to that magical 1-inch mark.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-puts-water-where-it%E2%80%99s-needed\"><span id=\"puts-water-where-its-needed\">Puts water where it\u2019s needed<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Water the bases of the plants rather than the tops. Watering at the base ensures the roots will get to the root system.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, plants do not all have the same water needs. For instance, impatiens may need frequent watering, but lantana may not. Skip those that don\u2019t need watering. A mechanical irrigation system doesn\u2019t make allowances for the water needs of different plants; it waters the entire garden evenly.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-ensures-proper-irrigation-of-potted-plants\"><span id=\"ensures-proper-irrigation-of-potted-plants\">Ensures proper irrigation of potted plants<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Water plants until the water runs out the bottom of the pot of seasonal plantings, houseplants or container gardens. As a general rule, containers may need more frequent watering, especially in hot weather.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-allows-close-inspection-of-plants\"><span id=\"allows-close-inspection-of-plants\">Allows close inspection of plants<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hand watering gives you the opportunity to examine your plants. Do you see any insect damage? Are leaves covered with fungus, such as powdery mildew? Has a plant grown too tall, and does it need to be staked?<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Identifying and correcting problems early keeps insects or diseases from taking hold in the garden.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-its-calming\"><span id=\"its-calming\">It&#8217;s calming<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hand watering allows time to admire and appreciate your plants. You can let your mind wander, take in the earthy aromas, solve the world\u2019s problems and relax.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-the-cons-of-hand-watering\"><span id=\"the-cons-of-hand-watering\">The cons of hand watering<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-hoses-are-unwieldy\"><span id=\"hoses-are-unwieldy\">Hoses are unwieldy<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dragging a hose that kinks or gets hung up on rocks, plants or other objects can be frustrating. You can opt for a hose that doesn\u2019t kink, but charged hoses still get heavy when the spigot comes on.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-requires-more-effort\"><span id=\"requires-more-effort\">Requires more effort<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Holding the hose can fatigue your hand, wrist and arm, especially if you have to lug around a bucket or press a lever to get water. Look for a hose-end accessory that can be locked in the open position.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-is-time-consuming\"><span id=\"is-time-consuming\">Is time-consuming<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hand watering is time consuming. A mechanical irrigation system allows you to go about your business while the sprinkler does the work for you. Hand-watering requires you to do the work, of course. &nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-the-final-word\"><span id=\"the-final-word\">The final word<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Hand watering takes time, but it can be a great way to ensure your plants get exactly what they need. Of course, you may prefer to have a professional handle lawn and garden duties for you. If so, give Lawn Love\u2019s <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\"><em>lawn care professionals<\/em><\/a><em> a call.<\/em><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/@ron-lach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ron&nbsp;Lach<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/photo-of-person-watering-a-plant-7883467\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pexels<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Long before sprinklers, soaker hoses and irrigation systems were part of the landscape, people hand-watered the plants in their gardens. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":53,"featured_media":11220,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[297],"tags":[132],"class_list":["post-11219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gardening","tag-gardening"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1pexels-ron-lach-7883467.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/jo-ellen-meyer-sharp\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/53"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11219"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11219\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}