When is the best time to water garlic with frozen water?

The cold winter is a huge test for growers. In this season, many vegetables will be affected by the cold, and garlic , as a cold-resistant crop, needs special protection from the cold. A common method of cold protection is to water garlic with frozen water before it goes through the winter. So when is the best time to water garlic with frozen water? Let’s take a look below.

1. When is the best time to water garlic with frozen water?

1. General time

Garlic is usually watered in November for wintering, because the temperature gradually drops and the soil begins to enter the freezing period. It is very important to determine the specific watering time according to soil moisture conditions and seedling growth. If the soil moisture conditions are poor, winter water should be applied as early as possible to prevent the growth and development of garlic from being affected by lack of water. For example, when the soil moisture content is less than 40%, you need to consider watering in time. Because in this case, it is difficult for the garlic roots to absorb enough water, which will affect its normal growth and ability to survive the winter.

2. Special circumstances

(1) There is no need to water the land covered with plastic film, because the plastic film has a moisturizing effect and watering will affect growth.

Garlic plots covered with mulch usually do not need to be watered over the winter. Ground mulch can effectively retain soil moisture and reduce water evaporation. According to statistics, soil moisture evaporation can be reduced by about 70% after covering the ground with film. If you water under this condition, the soil will be too moist, which can easily cause the garlic roots to rot and affect the growth of garlic.

(2) When rainfall is low and the soil is dry, water the soil when it is frozen at night and thaws during the day. Watering too early will cause large evaporation and is not conducive to moisture retention. Watering too late will cause the soil to freeze and the water will not be able to penetrate, and the garlic will be easily frostbitten. It is better to water the soil lightly to keep it moist.

When rainfall is low and the soil is dry, it is recommended to water the plants in winter before wintering. The best time to water is when the ice freezes at night and thaws during the day, that is, when the ice freezes at night and thaws during the day. If you water too early, the temperature will be high and the evaporation will be large, which is not conducive to moisture conservation. For example, when the temperature is above 10°C, soil moisture evaporates quickly, which may result in poor watering results. If you water the garlic too late, the temperature will be low and the soil will freeze, so the water will not be able to penetrate. Also, watering the garlic too late can easily cause frostbite. At this time, you should mainly water lightly to keep the soil moist. This can not only meet the garlic's need for water, but also will not cause adverse effects on the garlic.

(3) It is not recommended to water when the soil is in good condition and not dry, as this will increase soil moisture and easily freeze the garlic seeds.

If the soil moisture is good and there is no drought, winter watering is not recommended. Because the soil itself is not lacking in moisture, watering during the winter will increase the soil moisture. When the soil moisture exceeds 60%, the garlic seeds will easily be frozen during the winter, which is not conducive to the normal growth of garlic. Therefore, it is necessary to decide whether to water the garlic during the winter based on the actual soil conditions. Only by adapting to local conditions can the garlic be ensured to survive the winter safely.

2. Precautions for watering garlic during winter

1. When watering the plants during the winter, choose a sunny day after continuous freezing overnight.

This is because under such weather conditions, the soil temperature is relatively stable, water is not easy to evaporate too quickly, and the stimulation to the garlic roots can be reduced. According to relevant planting experience, watering in this kind of weather can allow the soil to better absorb water and improve the soil's thermal insulation performance.

2. Watering time should be after 10 am and before 4 pm

The temperature is relatively high during this period, which can reduce the impact of water temperature on the soil and garlic roots. If watering is too early or too late and the temperature is low, it will easily cause the soil temperature to drop suddenly, affecting the growth of garlic. For example, if you water before 10 a.m., the soil temperature may not have risen yet, and the water will further lower the soil temperature, which is not conducive to the activity of the garlic roots; if you water after 4 p.m., as the temperature drops, the soil moisture evaporates slowly, which can easily cause the soil to be too wet.

3. Use small amounts of water to irrigate the land, and avoid flooding with large amounts of water.

Flooding with large amounts of water will reduce soil permeability and affect the breathing of garlic roots. Generally speaking, small amounts of water can keep the soil moist without causing waterlogging. It is advisable to irrigate 20-30 cubic meters of water per acre of land, which can not only meet the garlic's demand for water but also will not damage the soil structure.

4. Clean the loose soil on the ground film in time

It helps the garlic fields to fully absorb sunlight and store ground temperature. The loose soil on the ground film will affect the transmittance of sunlight and reduce the soil's ability to absorb sunlight. After cleaning the loose soil, sunlight can better shine on the soil surface, increase the soil temperature, and create a good growth environment for garlic. According to statistics, after cleaning the loose soil, the soil temperature can be increased by 2-3℃, which is conducive to the safe wintering of garlic.

Watering garlic during the winter can alleviate changes in ground temperature, promote root growth and seedling growth, and prevent frost damage. The best time is November, which should be determined based on soil moisture conditions and seedling growth.