I have a a full sun garden. Ideas for water retention?

  6 answers
  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Mar 08, 2017

    I would suggest adding mulch to your soil to help with consisten moisture- There are many different mulch materials which gardeners can use. light colored mulches will reflect the sunlight and help maintain cooler surface soil conditions. In our yard, we keep a patch of grass set aside to grow tall for a ready source of mulch.

  • D roach D roach on Mar 12, 2017

    Can you not just cover the whole area in thick plastic and then cover that with bark or similar. Cut holes in the plastic to plant flowers/veg/bushes etc. That way the water in the ground will hit the underside of the plastic and then drop back down onto the soil. Added bonus - it keeps the weeds down

  • Carol Hougaboom Holman Carol Hougaboom Holman on Mar 12, 2017

    That is a good idea. I wonder even with bark down if it would be too hot for the plants, I do like that it would keep the weeds at bay.


  • Dfm Dfm on Mar 12, 2017

    use a black plastic mulch film. about 4 ft wide and up to 50 ft long, i cut it down to about 8 ft lengths, secure it with landscape staples. haven't fried any of my plants yet! just leave enough room for a lawn mower to get between plastic rows or mulch it. Iowa can hit over 100 degrees f in the summer. just keep steady on the watering.

  • Jill Katrina Snider Jill Katrina Snider on Mar 12, 2017

    Agree totally with mulching. Also, consider a timed water system (they are relatively cheap from Lowes or Home Depot). This entails a soaker hose and a timer attached to the outdoor faucet.