When to Water Vegetables

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With water becoming a scarce and costly commodity in some areas, many vegetable gardeners might wonder just how much water plants really need. Here's a guide to help you estimate when and how much to water, assuming rich, well-balanced soil. Increase frequency during hot, dry periods.

Also, see how to water "smart" and check our our article on The Water-Wise Garden. 

Vegetable	Critical time(s) to water for a 5-foot row	Number of gallons of water needed
Beans	When flowers form and during pod-forming and picking	2 per week depending on rainfall
Beets	Before soil gets bone-dry	1 at early stage; 2 every 2 weeks
Broccoli	Don't let soil dry out for 4 weeks after transplanting.	1 to 1 1/2 per week
Brussels sprouts	Don't let soil dry out for 4 weeks after transplanting.	1 to 1 1/2 per week
Cabbage	Water frequently in dry weather for best crop	2 per week
Carrots	Before soil gets bone-dry	1 at early stage; 2 every 2 weeks as roots mature
Cauliflower	Water frequently for best crop.	2 per week
Celery	Water frequently for best crop.	2 per week
Corn	When tassels form and when cobs swell	2 at important stages (left)
Cucumbers	Water frequently for best crop.	1 per week
Lettuce/Spinach	Water frequently for best crop.	2 per week
Onions	In dry weather, water in early stage to get plants going.	1/2 to 1 per week if soil is very dry
Parsnips	Before soil gets bone-dry	1 per week in early stages
Peas	When flowers form and during pod-forming and picking	2 per week
Potatoes	When the size of marbles	2 per week
Squash	Water frequently for best crop.	1 per week
Tomatoes	For 3 to 4 weeks after transplanting and when flowers and fruit form	1 gallon twice a week or more

Needs a lot of water during dry spells.

Needs water at critical stages of development.

Does not need frequent watering.

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