How Often Should You Water a Vegetable Garden?

Watering is the garden job you will do most often, and the one that causes the most confusion.

The short answer

Most vegetable gardens need about 1 inch of water per week from rain and watering combined, applied in one to three deep waterings rather than a little every day.

How much water do vegetables need?

The traditional rule of thumb is about an inch of water a week, more in hot, dry weather.

How often to water

The single most important principle is to water deeply and less often.

How to tell when to water

Push a finger, or a trowel, 2 to 3 inches into the soil near the plants.

The best time of day to water

Evening watering is fine if you water at the base of plants, but avoid wetting foliage late in the day, because leaves that stay wet overnight are more prone to disease.

Water at the roots, not the leaves

Sprinklers wet everything, including leaves and paths, and lose a good share of water to wind and evaporation.