1- Oxygen

2- Soil media

3- And most importantly: water.

Water is very important for the absorption of plants nutrients. Soil moisture also controls how deeply the plant will send its roots into the ground, which in turn determines its ability to survive droughts. There is much more to watering than just turning on a sprinkler.

In central Kentucky, we have high clay contents in our soil, which are sometimes referred to as heavy soils. It has very good nutrient and water retention. With this being said, it can be easy to over water. Though the surface of the ground may be dry; underneath, the clay could be overly saturated. Always make sure to monitor how much water goes down, and how saturated the ground gets.

By over-watering, the plant will drown, and by under-watering, the plant will wilt. To be safe, don’t just look at the soil, make a small hole in the soil to see the soil. If the soil is black or smells bad, you are over watering, or you may have poor drainage so the water is not percolating through the soil and out of the root zone. If the soil is dry then add more watering to your routine. Water more often, or for a longer period of time.

The best way to water is to do so in a slow enough routine so that there is no run off. Water has to be able to saturate several inches or even feet down into the soil. By watering deeply the first season you are helping your plants establish rich, deep root systems which will be able to access moisture for underground after the surface soil has dried out. by doing this, you are watering fewer times, but applying more water at a slower rate so all the water is taken in by the plant.

Mulching is one of the best ways to conserve water for your plants. Mulch is organic material spread across the top of the soil at least 2” deep. Mulch insulates roots, it discourages weed growth, and eliminates surface moisture evaporation from the soil.