How much water do I need for my gardens either flowers or vegetables? One inch a week.

image from fity.com 

​Good morning.  We had rain last night, only  one tenth but it will help with the top of the dirt.  I will continue to water with the sprinkler to keep the little dirt that is in the trays well-watered. High today 79F(26C) At 8:00 AM it is cloudy and I think clouds will move away for this afternoon.  It feels a little more humid out.  Did you get rain?  Stay cool, stay safe. 
 
Australia family and friends for June 25th Thursday will have rain at 80% and cool at high of 59F(15C) stay warm, stay safe.
 
I am posting the second half of the article about watering in the garden beds.  It talks about flowers, but this will also be for vegetable gardens.  One inch of rain a week.  Someone shared with me yesterday that Cerro Gordo Co is in the second stage of drought.  I am afraid we are all going to be watering.  Hope you have it set up for it with a hose and not carrying buckets.
Watering Flowers in Garden Beds
Since flowers (and vegetables) planted in the ground have a larger area for their roots to run, they are a little more self-sufficient than those confined to containers.
How Much Water Do Flowers Need in the Ground?
The rule of thumb is 1 inch of water a week during the growing season, but we all know that some thirsty plants require more than that, while deeply rooted perennials and xeric plants are just fine with less.
 
What is 1 inch of water? This means a 1-inch-deep layer of water over the entire soil surface that needs watering. The formula is essentially 1 inch of water per 1 square foot = 0.62 gallons. If you wish to get a sense of how much water that is, place 4 or 5 tuna cans (straight-sided) around the garden during a rainfall. When 1 inch of water from rain has collected in the containers, that indicates that 1 inch of water was applied to the soil.
The easiest way to measure soil wetness is to buy a soil moisture meter; you can find them online for less than $10.
The Finger Test: An Easy Way to Check Soil Moisture
But nothing beats the finger test. Stick your finger into the soil about 2 inches down, and if it’s dry, it’s time to drag out the hose.
Why Midday Wilting Doesn’t Always Mean Your Flowers Need Water
Don’t be too alarmed if your plants wilt during the hottest part of the day. Wilting is a natural survival mechanism for many broad-leafed annuals. Once the sun gets lower, they should perk up again.
Watering Flowers After Planting
When planting flowering plants, make sure the rootball is wet and the ground is moist. Plant after a rain if possible.
Give the plants a good drink to settle the soil around their roots to lessen the shock of being transplanted. Plants that have a good start will perform better than those that have to struggle early on.
Tips to Use Less Water and Keep Flowers Healthy
In many parts of the country, water is at a premium, and using it for gardens and landscaping is at least limited, if not totally banned. What’s a gardener to do?
Water Deeply Instead of Frequently
To encourage your plants to develop deep roots, when plants need watering, thoroughly soak the ground once rather than applying many shallow waterings.
To reach the roots, the water has to go about 6 inches down into the soil. To test how far your water went, dig down after watering. You’ll be surprised! In a dry season, it can still be powdery.
Water the Soil, Not the Leaves
Again, be sure to water the soil and not the leaves. A gentle flow at the base of the plant will do more good than an overhead sprinkler that wets everything in its path. Soil splashing up onto the leaves can also spread disease.
 
Use Drip Irrigation and Soaker Hoses
Sprinklers also waste a lot of water, losing it to evaporation. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses will deliver the water right where it is needed and can be set with timers to turn on and off, making your job easier.
Water Early in the Morning
Try to water in the early morning or late afternoon rather than during the heat of the day, when most of the moisture will quickly evaporate.
Improve Soil With Compost
Look at your soil. Different soil types hold water better than others. If yours is too sandy, mix in compost, shredded leaves, coconut coir, well-rotted sawdust, or aged manure to increase its ability to absorb moisture.
Add Mulch to Retain Moisture
Mulch, mulch, mulch. After planting, adding a layer of straw, shredded leaves, bark mulch, or pine needles will keep soil moisture from evaporating quickly.
How often should you water flowers?
Most flowers need watering when the top 1–2 inches of soil become dry. Container plants may need daily watering during hot weather, while in-ground flowers often need about 1 inch of water weekly.
Is it better to water flowers in the morning or evening?
Morning is the best time to water flowers because it allows foliage to dry quickly and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Can flowers get too much water?
Yes. Overwatering can cause root rot and prevent roots from getting oxygen. Always use containers with drainage holes and avoid soggy soil.
Should you water flower leaves or the soil?
Water the soil around the base of the plant. Wet foliage can encourage disease and wastes water through evaporation.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/how-water-flowers-watering-tips?
Till next time this is Becky Litterer , Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse