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my neighbor just installed a sprinkler system for his new lawn. in the initial set up, my garden, which sits on our property lines, got a few sprinkles, and I told him it was fine, as it was not hitting any plants. He has since changed his sprinkler set up, and my tomato plants are being sprinkled for about 10 minutes a day. I have a soaker hose set up for my garden. My question is, should I worry about this and ask him to change the set up back to what it was? I have read that you should not water tomatoes overhead, as the splashing can spread disease. I am also worried about the plants getting watered very shallowly every day. And I am confused about how much I should be watering with the soaker hose. Should I just be quiet and take the free (filtered well) water?
Is it going to harm my plants?
Thank you,
Michele
You are right to be concerned about too much watering from above and every day on the tomatoes. If it is early in the morning it may be OK because they would dry off right away. However, it is still better to water below heavily once in awhile rather than each day. Perhaps you could ask your neighbor to move the sprinkler again and explain that too much water on the leaves invites problems for tomatoes. Free water is nice but you don't need free diseases either!!! Good luck.
Having water on tomato leaves on a daily basis is not good for the plants. It is an open invitation for diseases.
I suggest you put up a board, or some other barrier to prevent the water from drowning your plants. Or, if you are on good terms with your neigbor, ask him/her to change the watering pattern.
Can't help with the soaker hose question. I hand water the garden every seven to ten days if it doesn't rain.
Thanks everyone for your reply. I talked to my neighbor and he changed the pattern. I am lucky to have such a nice family next door. Hope they like tomatoes!!
