Under most circumstances, when soil is found to be dry to a considerable depth sufficient water is needed to penetrate at least 15 centimetres, otherwise it will only freshen the foliage and give the false impression of wetness.

How much water is needed to wet an average, free-draining soil to 15cms deep cannot be answered accurately as it depends on soil porosity, amount of cultivation, presence or absence of mulch and degree of slope.

To get a better understanding of a particular soil, watered it until it's moist to a depth of 15cms and record the amount of water applied.

On average, it takes 25ml of water to wet the soil if there is no mulch. A 5cm-deep, dry mulch may absorb as much as 25ml of water.

Having some doubt about the efficiency of different watering devices, I tested each by recording the water that fell in numerous spots beneath the sprinkler spray. All of them wet the surface however, some curious results appeared when the fall of water was measured in different places over the area.

The first device was a slowly oscillating, perforated slightly curved tube moving in a half or quarter circle. It appeared to water a rectangular area with the deposit of water seemingly uniform over the area but, in reality, it applied three times as much water near the centre. This uneven distribution can be compensated for by moving the sprinkler so there is an overlap of half the wetted area.

The second sprinkler type was supposed to water a square area and did apply a rather large amount of water to a small area. It had reasonable distribution of water that occurred in a doughnut-shape band about 60cm from the centre.

Since water spread is concentrated, the sprinkler can be moved often and a fairly uniform watering regime can be achieved.

The third was a stationary nozzle with no moving parts in which some special break up of the water stream was supposed to produce uniformity over a circular area.

The water covered a circle but only the middle metre was sufficiently watered. As with the preceding sprinkler this can be moved to provide an overlap.

Some gardeners prefer soaker hoses which lie on the ground and deliver a fine mist.

These hoses can water an area about 4m-wide and as long as the hose.

However, within this area there were surprising variations as the water capture lids showed.

Along the line of the hose three lids at 35cm spacings showed a water fall of 12ml, 90ml and 60ml. As the hose is flexible and bends easily this could explain some of the variations.

Rain falls at intervals during the normal growing season so keep a check on moisture levels and supplement any deficiency by watering.

With variable rainfall, sunshine, temperature and wind supplementary water applications are not the only thing to consider.

I find an examination of garden soil at several spots and varying depths is the most reliable way to determine the effective water needs of the garden.

November 6: North-West Lilium Society meeting at Penguin Baptist Centre, 130 Ironcliffe Road, 1pm.

November 16: Australian Plants Society Tasmania meeting, Max Fry Hall, Gorge Road, Trevallyn, 7.30pm. Ian Clarke from Melbourne will speak on native grasses and their identification. Visitors welcome.

November 17: Launceston Horticultural Society meeting , Windmill Hill Hall, High Street Launceston, 7.30pm.

Globe artichokes are perennial vegetables that look like thistles and grow to about 2-metres high, with the bud of the flower being the edible part. Plant suckers about 1.5m apart in a compost-enriched, moist soil. After about four years the plants deteriorate in quality so plant a few replacements each spring. Planted in the ornamental garden their striking purple flower heads and silvery/grey foliage paint a pretty picture.

Plant dwarf and climbing beans to provide a bountiful crop for the coming months. Good dwarf varieties include stringless pioneer, Hawkesbury wonder, bountiful butter, Jade, Cherokee wax and borlotti with purple King and Scarlet runner excellent climbers. Sow bean seeds 5cms deep in well drained soil in a sunny position.

Add a tablespoon of wine or vinegar to the cooking water of red cabbage to reduce colour loss. To keep the white colouring of cauliflowers during cooking add a little lemon juice. To reduce the unpleasant odour of cabbages cook uncovered.

Some plants can be used to help control insects and other pests in the garden. Tansy, pennyroyal and spearmint deter ants, anise, chives, garlic, coriander, nasturtiums and petunias help manage aphids, parsley attracts beneficial insects that predate on tomatoes and marigolds.

When daffodils have finished flowering remove seed heads to enable the plant to put all its energy into storing next season's food supply. Just nip the seed pod off leaving the stem intact. Don't lift the bulbs until the leaves have turned brown and dried off. When dividing daffodil bulbs, don't force them apart as better blooms come from one large double or triple nosed bulb.

Aquilegias, also affectionately known as columbines or granny's bonnets, have been loved for generations for their dainty spurred flowers that come in pastel bi-colours and their soft blue-green ferny leaves. There are some stunning new varieties to look for.

Ilex x altaclerensis 'Golden King' is a small evergreen shrub with striking dark green foliage with golden-yellow margins and pretty white flowers and is perfect for a screen planting or trained as a lolly-pop standard. This hardy holly prefers a moist, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

Geraniums are generous plants that flower for months on end and are so easy to propagate, just snap off a piece about 10cms long and insert into a pot of seed raising mix and in no time you will have a new plant.