Watering through Oregon's long dry summer
In Oregon, the garden lives between two seasons: a long, wet winter and a summer that's drier than most gardeners expect. From July on, the rain largely stops west of the Cascades — so the goal each week is simple: keep your summer crops consistently watered while planning the fall and overwintering garden.
Give heat-lovers like tomatoes and peppers your warmest, sunniest spot and keep them picked as they ripen. As earlier crops finish, refresh beds with compost and resow — late summer is the moment for fall lettuce, spinach, and kale, and much of western Oregon can keep greens going all winter under a simple cover. Fall is also the time for garlic and cover crops.
Watering is where many gardeners run into trouble. Once the dry season sets in, deep, early-morning watering a few times each week is almost always better than a light daily sprinkle. It drives roots deeper, and paired with mulch, it keeps the soil evenly moist through the months when the sky won't help.
Continue reading inside the Oregon Garden Club.
Become a member