Credit: Jacqlyn Rivas, UF/IFAS
Introduction
A Florida-Friendly edible landscape utilizes nine core principles to conserve water and soil resources. This article focuses on Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principle #2, watering efficiently, which promotes water conservation and plant health in the edible landscape. A consistent and efficient supply of water is essential for edible crops, including fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Edibles require regular watering for optimal production. Following guidance by FFL principles can help us water in the most efficient way possible, allowing Floridians to have good, edible landscape food production and conserve water resources. This EDIS publication is written for Florida gardeners, homesteaders and other horticulturalists interested in planting and establishing edible landscapes and improving those landscapes by conserving water. This publication will provide guidance for choosing the ideal irrigation system for edible cropping systems as well as general tips for conserving water in edible landscapes.
Irrigation Management in the Edible Landscape
Edible plants have specific watering requirements and will benefit from proper irrigation management. Watering efficiently requires knowing soil type and the plants’ watering needs and planning irrigation schedules based on those needs. Without planning, this can be difficult in the edible landscape because established ornamentals require less water compared to vegetables. Irrigation requires attention in this unique landscape due to varying plant water requirements.
How much water do my edible plants need?
Edible plants need just the right amount of water. Excessive or insufficient water can cause stress to the plant, fruit drop, and reduced vegetative and root growth, as well as promote disease and pest susceptibility. Plants require water for photosynthesis and transportation of essential nutrients. Vegetables require about one to two inches of water per week depending on the plant, season, and soil type. Irrigate when the first one to two inches of soil surface are dry. Use your fingers to physically check the soil or use a soil moisture sensor. Edibles have critical watering periods that support growth stages, like germination, flowering, and fruiting. Use a proactive approach by regularly monitoring plant appearance and adjusting watering frequency or duration as needed. This can reduce problems in the vegetable garden and increase harvest.
Seedlings and younger plants will require more frequent watering, especially when evaporative rates are high. As plants mature, watering duration should increase, and frequency should decrease. In other words, larger plants should be watered longer but less often. Both underwatering and overwatering can disrupt root systems and effect nutrient absorption. Use Table 1 to determine general watering needs for edibles during their growth stages.
Table 1. Watering Needs for Edible Crops during Their Growth Stages.
Underwatering
Without adequate water, plants can become stressed and stunted and produce poorly. Plant wilting is a primary symptom of underwatering and indicates plant distress. Prolonged underwatering will result in nutrient deficiency, indicated by leaf discoloration, and may result in plant death. For example, fluctuating soil moisture may leach calcium from the soil or limit calcium absorption, causing blossom end rot in tomatoes. Fruiting plants may drop their flowers and fruits during times of water/drought stress. Plant wilting can also occur from excessive heat on hot sunny days, even when plants are hydrated. Check your plants in the morning or evening to see if they reflect appropriate moisture.
Overwatering
Overwatering may exhibit the same symptoms as underwatering, but the soil will be wet or saturated. Overwatering is likely to cause diseases and increase pests, such as insects and weeds. With too much water, the soil can be depleted of oxygen and lead to root rot and other problems. Excessive water may be caused by poorly drained soil and compaction. Certain fruits/vegetables like tomatoes and carrots may split due to excess or uneven watering. Some varieties are more prone to splitting. Too much water can lead to localized nutrient loss and pollute local water bodies through leaching or runoff. This is only an issue with nitrogen and phosphorus, two nutrients that negatively affect waterbodies.
Types of Irrigation
There are many types of irrigation, and more than one method might be required in the edible landscape because the plants have different water requirements. Rainfall should be the primary form of watering the garden. Using a rain gauge can help track rainfall. Use of harvested rainwater, such as rain barrel water, should only be for nonedible ornamental plants due to physical, biological, and chemical contamination. For additional information on the topic, please refer to Edible Landscaping Using the Nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Principles: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP594.
When rainfall cannot satisfy plant water requirements, supplemental irrigation for edibles should be used. The three common types of irrigation are high flow/volume in-ground, hand watering, and microirrigation (Figure 2). Turfgrass, ornamentals and edibles require different amounts of water and should be in separate zones. Establishing ornamentals and edibles requires frequent watering, and local ordinances may limit watering days and use. Check with your local Water Management District and local municipalities for watering use restrictions: https://floridadep.gov/water-policy/water-policy/content/water-management-districts.
Credit: Luke Harlow, UF/IFAS
In-Ground Irrigation
In-ground irrigation (traditional/high volume/overhead) is used to irrigate turfgrass and is generally not recommended for ornamentals or edibles. Water streams from pop-up sprayers and rotors can damage delicate plants. Additionally, plant interference can cause uneven water distribution in turfgrass and landscape beds. Rotary nozzles are low volume and can be used for edibles integrated into large landscape areas and in orchards where there are groundcovers. If turfgrass is part of your edible landscape, convert to water-efficient nozzles.
Hand Watering
Hand watering can be a very efficient way to water edibles. It involves a user holding a watering device like a hose or watering can. A hose nozzle with multiple watering patterns such as shower or garden settings work well. Check the soil to ensure that the water has permeated several inches into the soil after watering. Although useful for young plants, light surface watering will encourage shallow roots and make plants less drought tolerant. Deep watering in the root zone is relative to the plant you are growing (6” for seedlings and smaller crops, 24” for shrubs and fruit trees) is better and encourages deep roots. Use a timer to avoid overirrigating.
Hand watering is good for transplants, for establishing new crops, and in smaller gardens, and it can also be a great method for maintaining more mature crops. It can be restrictive in larger gardens and during times of drought. Consider combining this watering method with microirrigation for larger gardens. If the soil gets too dry, hand watering may be needed to apply a larger volume of water to rewet the soil.
Microirrigation
Microirrigation is a low-volume, low-flow system that delivers water to the root zone. It can be a very efficient method of watering when used appropriately. Benefits include:
- Reduced weed populations
- Prevention of plant disease by wetting the soil instead of wetting the foliage (Figure 3)
- Reduced evaporation and direct application of water to the soil. Microirrigation systems usually function at 15 to 30 psi (pounds per square inch). To avoid blowing out lines or emitters, use a pressure regulator. To learn more about microirrigation, see Microirrigation for Home Landscapes: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AE524.
Credit: Jacqlyn Rivas, UF/IFAS
Watering Edibles with Microirrigation
Consider using different types of microirrigation for different fruits and vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees. Types of microirrigation include dripline, drip emitters, microsprays, and microbubblers (Table 2).
Table 2. Microirrigation Types and Uses.
