Gardening Answers

How do you decide when to water?

Dan_Southwest | Posted in Southwest Gardening on

It’s not always easy to know when your garden needs some water. Some advance planning helps of course, like grouping plants with very similar needs together in the same area. Still, what about very xeric gardens with succulents and shrubs that are slow to show signs of stress? One method is to plant a few things in the mix that are just slightly quicker to show when they are thirsty. I call these my indicator plants: maybe a variety of penstemon or other native wildflower that is inclined to droop a little when soils get too dry. Then I know the entire garden will likely appreciate a good watering.
What plants do you use in your region to help with watering decisions?

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