The Home Growns
11. Use Sub-Surface Drip Irrigation Only
The Overhead Sprinkler Trap
I used to think standing out in the yard with my garden hose was the absolute most relaxing part of my day. I would just blast my tightly packed zinnias right over the top, totally soaking all those gorgeous green leaves.
But I was actually creating a massive, moldy nightmare for myself without even realizing it. When you have a super dense canopy, that heavy water gets completely trapped deep inside the middle of the foliage.
It just sits there cooking in the afternoon sun, practically begging fungal disease to come move in and ruin the party. Overhead watering is honestly the absolute worst thing you can do to a packed flower bed because those tightly woven leaves simply cannot dry out fast enough.
Going Underground with Drip Lines
To keep my plants completely healthy and my foliage crisp, I totally banned the garden hose and switched strictly to drip irrigation. But I don’t just lay the clunky black tubing on top of the dirt where it looks messy and gets in the way of my weeding.
I actually bury my drip lines about two inches deep directly into the organic compost before I even plant my seeds. This brilliant sub-surface setup delivers soaking moisture straight to the roots exactly where they actually need it.
Because the water never touches the surface, the entire upper canopy stays completely bone-dry and totally safe from mold. Plus, it drastically cuts down on your daily watering tips and chores, giving you way more time to actually enjoy your yard.
But having perfectly watered roots still leaves you with those awkward, bare woody stalks at the bottom of your plants because we stripped the leaves earlier, so hit that next button below and I’ll share my absolute favorite trick for hiding those ugly gaps with gorgeous, delicate flowers!
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