Content
Eggplants in open ground need to be watered at least once a week. If there is little rain or dry weather, water is given 2-3 times a week. It is best to organize a drip irrigation system. But even if it is not there, water can be poured from a watering can with a special nozzle.
Water requirements
When planning to water eggplants in open ground, it is recommended to choose water very carefully. For such demanding plants, it is best to use rainwater. Experienced summer residents always place large barrels, old bathtubs and other containers on their plots to collect sediment.
But if this is not possible, the summer is dry, then you will have to water it with ordinary water. In this case, it must be pre-settled at room temperature. If the summer is hot and the temperature at night does not drop below 15 degrees, you can run a bath and leave it outdoors.
At the same time, it is best to plan watering in open ground in the evening.During the day the water will have time to warm up and reach 25-27 degrees. This is the liquid that is most suitable for eggplants.
How often should you water eggplants?
Eggplants love frequent watering, since the plants are demanding and grow well only with proper moisture. On the other hand, you should not over-moisten the soil either. Moreover, when grown in open ground, the bushes will receive additional moisture due to rain. Sometimes there are seasons when there is a lot of precipitation, so summer residents do relatively little watering.
The regularity of the procedure in open ground primarily depends on the weather:
- If it rains periodically, it is necessary to monitor the weather forecast and monitor the condition of the soil. As soon as the surface layer begins to dry out, you can plan a new procedure (if no rain is expected in the next 2-3 days).
- If precipitation is unstable, the weather is variable, rains are only short-term, watering is done once every five days. Adult bushes can be watered once a week on weekends, and quite generously.
- In hot weather, when long-term dry weather has set in, watering eggplants in open ground is carried out at least twice a week. When the drought is severe, water is given on an “every other day” basis.
In open ground, eggplants are watered at least once a week.
The surface layer protects the soil from rapid loss of moisture and also prevents the active growth of weeds.
Watering methods
There are several ways to water eggplants and other plants in open ground. The classic option is moisturizing with a watering can. But there are more advanced methods, for example, drip irrigation. Its advantage is that it ensures a uniform flow of water.
Using a watering can
This option is suitable for cases where the planting area is small - literally 1-2 beds. The settled water from the bucket is poured into watering cans with a volume of no more than 5 liters, so that it can be lifted without harm to health. Next, use a watering can to water in the open ground at the root, trying to get it directly to the ground.
It is not recommended to pour it on the leaves, and especially on the flowers, as they can get burned under the bright sun. For the same reason, watering should be planned for late evening, or at least early in the morning. The standard water consumption rate is 10 liters (bucket) per 1 square meter of planting.
Watering with a hose
You can also water eggplants in open ground using a hose. The convenience is that you don’t need to carry containers - just stretch a rubber pipe from the nearest water supply. It is recommended to take into account several features:
- You should not use water from an artesian well because it is too cold. If used regularly, it can lead to fungal diseases of eggplants.
- Also, you should not water under too much pressure - in this case, leaves, delicate flowers and even eggplant stems may be damaged.
- It is better to put a diffuser on the working end of the hose. This is a special device that can be bought inexpensively in a store for summer residents.
- The stream is directed strictly to the root, as well as between the rows. You can't point it at greens.
Drip irrigation
This is the most perfect way to water eggplants in open ground. You can buy tape for drip irrigation in the store. They have different cross-sections, which allows you to adjust the volume of water supplied. The optimal interval between holes is 40-50 cm.
The most effective method of watering in open ground is a drip system.
Installing the tape is quite simple. It is necessary to securely fasten the joints, and then connect the system to the water supply tap. But even if there is no central source of water, you can simply install a tank or barrel up to 1 m high and use a pump.
The tape is laid out in such a way that it runs exactly in the center of the space between the rows. In this case, the soil is moistened within a radius of 25-30 cm, which is sufficient for each plant.
How to properly water eggplants in open ground
Proper watering of eggplants involves different frequencies and volumes at different stages of the growing season. Seedlings require the least amount of water, and adult bushes require the most during flowering and fruiting. The main recommendations that you should pay attention to are described below.
First shoots
As a rule, seedlings are watered quite abundantly in the first stages, but in the case of eggplants and other nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes), water, on the contrary, should be given less frequently. It is enough to do this once every five days, making sure that the top layer of soil has time to dry. Otherwise, a black leg may appear, due to which some of the seedlings will die.
Watering eggplants after planting in open ground
After the seedlings are transplanted into open ground, watering is given at least once every five days (if there is no rain).Water is consumed in the amount of 1 liter for each seedling. If there are five plants per square meter, then you need to spend about half a bucket (5 liters) of water.
You can also irrigate using a drip irrigation system. In this case, water is given in open ground 2-3 times a week, making sure that the surface layer of soil does not become too wet. If everything is done correctly, the plants will produce foliage, quickly gain green mass, and then form the first buds.
Watering eggplants during flowering
During the flowering period, watering eggplants in open ground is given in the same mode, i.e. at least once every five days. But the volumes are starting to increase - 1.5-2 liters are spent on each plant. Standard consumption rate is a bucket of water (10 l) per 1 m2. In this case, the liquid should be warm, since at this moment the plants are especially sensitive to temperature changes. If you give cold water, the yield will drop noticeably.
During flowering and ovary formation, water volumes increase
How to water eggplants during fruiting
Watering eggplants during fruiting is carried out at least twice a week. At the same time, the consumption is exactly the same - up to 10 liters per 1 m2. In July and August, it is advisable to irrigate in the late evening or early morning. At the same time, in the second half of summer, watering can be reduced to once a week. At the same time, the same consumption rate is observed.
How to water eggplants in the heat in open ground
If the weather is hot, watering is done at least twice a week. In some cases, it is justified to water three times, i.e. in one day. In this case, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil in the garden bed in the open ground, as well as monitor the weather forecast. The maximum consumption rate per plant is 2 liters.At least 10 liters are spent per square meter.
Common mistakes
When watering eggplants in open ground, beginners and even experienced gardeners can make various mistakes, for example:
- Using cold water – often seen when using a hose. The liquid should be taken only after settling, preferably warmed in the sun.
- Too frequent watering at the germination stage, as well as after transplanting into open ground. During this period, water can be given once every 5-7 days.
- Watering with strong pressure from a hose.
- Contact with leaves, flowers and ovaries.
- Planning a procedure without taking into account the weather forecast. For example, if there has been a drought, but there will be heavy rain, you should not moisturize.
Conclusion
It is necessary to water eggplants in open ground quite often - usually 1-2 times a week. Don’t think that the more water you give, the better it is for the plants. In fact, it is necessary to comply with the norm and also monitor the weather forecast.
