Watering the Santa Fe Garden
Upgrade Your Watering System
Use soaker hoses, bubblers or drip irrigation systems to confine water to only those areas where it is needed.
Choose Climate-Appropriate Plants
Use climate compatible (xeric) plants in the garden. Choose plants that can be lush and healthy under a once per week watering plan. If you are uncertain about what to plant in arid Santa Fe, let our staff help you select appropriate plants.
Apply Mulch to Your Beds and Tree Wells
This is the single, most important thing you can do to use water more efficiently in the garden. What is mulch? It is “any substance spread upon the ground to protect the roots of plants from heat, cold, drought or to keep fruit clean” (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary). Home made or commercial composts make for the best mulch, followed by pecan shells, straw and shredded bark. Layers varying from 1” to 4” deep should be applied 1 or 2 times annually, depending on the type of plant and the type of mulch. Our staff can help you select the best material for your situation.
Reduce Watering Frequency
Always follow local watering ordinances. Water deeply, infrequently, but consistently and only when plants need water. Many plants will wilt in hot weather – don’t panic! This is natural and they will recover in the cooler evening air. If not, look for other problems such as insect- or rodent-caused root damage.
If trees, shrubs and tough perennials are mulched properly, one soaking per week should be OK. For annual flowers and vegetables, two to three soakings per week are sometimes needed and can be done only where local ordinances allow. During the late fall and winter (November through March), soak your beds deeply, one to two times a month on established plantings and two to three times a month on newly established plants.
Never Over-Water
Over-watering is harmful to plants. Over-watering can compact the soil, driving out oxygen and other gases that plants need to thrive. It can also draw salts from the soil to the plant’s roots causing burns and poor nutrition. Frequent, shallow watering can cause the plant to become intolerant of drought by weakening root systems, leading to plant failure if left without water for even short periods of time.
Fertilize
Why is fertilizing an important part of watering the garden? Because using the right fertilizer will help you save water! Organic fertilizers and natural minerals re-structure the soil, making it more porous allowing water to percolate down into the ground instead of running off. Good fertilizers also increase microbial action in the soil. This in turn nurtures the plants and healthier plants use water more efficiently!
Watch the Weather
Most years, Santa Fe is fortunate to get plentiful rainfall during the monsoon season (late June through early August). This may be the best time to establish your new plantings. Always reduce your watering in the wet season and if you use automatic timers, shut them off when the rainy season starts.