1. Use self-watering stakes and spikes. Many stake and spike designs have a water reservoir you fill up and then the water drips slowly into the soil. Some have tubes to insert into a jug or bottle of water to prolong their watering capabilities.

2. Add style and self-watering with watering bulbs. They are a long stake with a ball on the end you fill with water. You then turn it upside down and stake it into your plants soil near the roots. It slowly adds the water to the soil and you simply refill it as needed.

3. Save your potted plants with self-watering containers. Most pots allow some drainage at the bottom with holes. Self-watering containers add a compartment in between the soil and the bottom of the pot to allow the soil to absorb it slowly over time. My favorite self-watering containers so far are the Earthbox line of garden systems and Target’s Room Essentials self-watering planters.

4. Expandable sprinkler heads give you the ability to adjust their height to suit your needs. The spray arc is adjustable in a full circle and each covers an area of ten feet. This is a good option for raised garden beds and in-ground gardening. This option will save you a lot of time and effort.

5. Row drip irrigation uses couplers, garden hose, and a faucet adapter to supply water to rows in your garden. It’s a simple trick to providing a continual water source to your plants. Drip irrigation supplies water at the roots preventing runoff and evaporation, and these systems are fairly easy to set up. They come in various designs, sizes, and row capacity.

6. Consider an Ooze tube. Ooze tubes are made of UV resistant plastic are filled with water, fertilizers, or nutrients as desired. The tube is laid on its side next to your garden soil and uses a drip line and emitters to deliver water to the soil continuously. They are not the most attractive option but they are highly effective holding 40 gallons of water.

7. Utilizing a water tank is a great trick for conserving water and not having the rain go to waste in the wrong places. You can incorporate them right next to your garden with a drip system to optimize their benefit or simply let them fill up and pour the water at your plants bases. They are simple to create yourself and there are a few kit options available on the market.

8. Morning watering is the best but you can get away with night watering if necessary. Watering in the morning gives your plants the most time to dry out during the day and allows the water an opportunity to soak into the soil before the hot sun evaporates it. Watering at night is alright on days that are especially hot and dry, or if you miss watering in the morning.

 9. Water at the plants base. In most cases plants prefer to keep their leaves dry. When possible water at the base of your plants. This prevents mildews and other diseases from forming when the plants don’t have enough time to dry with the days air circulation and heat. This is especially important in more humid climates.

10. Don’t water too often or too little. Watering well requires consistency. Each plant has its own watering needs, some prefer to stay somewhat dry, while others prefer more moisture. Knowing your plants watering needs and then watering at the correct times, will improve your odds of producing healthy plants.