How much water does your yard really need?

Frequency is the problem, not volume. Short daily watering keeps roots shallow and thirsty. Longer, less frequent watering pushes roots down where the soil stays damp for days.

For an established water-wise bed in Clearfield or Layton soil, a deep soak every 10 to 14 days in July is usually plenty. New plantings need more — roughly twice a week their first summer — then you taper off.

The screwdriver test settles most arguments. Push a long screwdriver into the bed. If it slides in six inches easily, skip watering. If it stops short, water deeply.

Mulch does the rest. Two inches over the soil surface can cut evaporation dramatically, and it keeps roots cooler in the afternoon.