You'd be better off watering much less often, but watering longer when you do water. The goal is to provide about an inch of water each week, either from the sprinkling system or from rain, or a combination of the two. It's best to get it all at once, but since your lawn has been getting frequent water, you may need to change gradually because the grass probably has short roots now. Get some empty tuna cans and set them out around the lawn to see how much water you're providing, so that you'll know how to give the amount you need. The time the sprinklers need to run varies from one system to the next, and the only way to tell for sure is to measure the water that is being applied. I would cut back to three times a week (increasing the amount of time you water each station), then, after a couple of weeks there, cut back to twice a week, again increasing the amount of time for each station. After a few weeks at that, try to cut back to once a week, applying an inch when you water. If you have clay soil, you may need to do it in several cycles. I water for about 15 minutes per station, then let it sit a few minutes and do it again, then a few minutes after that, I do it third time. That way, the water has a chance to soak in and not run off.

Every day, if you have it. I use knee high stockings but only after I've been seen with them in the garden of course. 3pr/$1 at the $1store. Remove both ends of a can, inserted into the stocking while you add a pound or two of compost/manure. Use your fav search engine for many thousand more ideas. Then compile your very own 'recipe'. I don't think you'll go wrong. Good Luck, Gumby_CT

Datura usually doesn't need too much water. I water mine every couple of days, and that's probably excessive. You should be more careful with seedling, though, as they are quite fragile. Give them enough water to moisten the soil every three days, I say.

- Is there an amount of water or number of times per week I should be watering the garden when we don't get rain? No, watering isn't something that can be scheduled or given a set number of times. You water only when the plants need it. They determine the need. The only guidelines are: - different plants need different amounts and frequency so it isn't a matter of watering the entire garden at the same time - you water deeply and less frequently rather than shallow and often - the need for water will change as the plants mature and as the weather changes - you water the base of the plants, not the leaves - most all new gardeners OVER water and kill plants as a result So as rhizo said, first you learn about the soil - how well it drains and how long it retains moisture. The only way to do that is to get your hands dirty deep in the soil. Second, you learn about the individual needs for each type of plant. Some prefer to dry out between watering, some require consistent soil moisture levels, some use a lot of water, some use very little, etc. Third, you learn to read the plants. Learn to recognize when the appearance of their stems and leaves are telling you they need water and when they do not. Dave