Irrigation drives produce quality — vegetable fruit is roughly 80 – 90% water. Deep, infrequent soakings beat frequent light sprinkling.
Weekly need
2.5 cm (1 inch)
Delivery
1 – 2 deep soakings per week
Fruit water content
80 – 90%
Mulch effect
Up to 50% less evaporation
Aim for about 2.5 cm of water per week including rainfall.
Water deeply and less often so roots follow moisture down.
Wilting and bitter flavour point to under-watering.
Yellowing leaves and root rot point to over-watering.
Mulch with straw or bark to cut evaporation sharply.
Every figure above comes from these pages.