I think 2x a day is too much. Unless your sprouting seeds.

But I only got a year on you so am no expert.

I scuffle hoe the ground so water gets in and try to water fairly deep every 3 - 5 days if no rain.

A cheap water meter helps me too.

Or dig a small hole to see the soil wetness a few inches down.

I water after sundown on super hot days. Not saying it is best, but am on a water diet so have to get the most bang for the buck...it does rain at night sometimes. So I mimick nature in this respect.

I agree that twice a day is too much unless sprouting seeds. My corn needs water about twice a week. Melons once a week. That's applying 1.5 to 2 inches each time with highs in 90s and no rain.

It's not that hard to set up one or two of the pulse type sprinkler heads. Move them around and water one area a day.

I look at my plants during the heat of the day and usually water when I see they are starting to wilt. Early or late in the day they may not show stress.

I agree with fruitnut, either set up a sprinkler or maybe a soaker hose? I'm not that experienced either, but I do know that frequent, shallow watering creates weak roots. I think 1-2" of water a week is what is recommended. Set up a rain meter if you use a sprinkler, so you can figure out how long to leave the sprinkler on to get enough water. Good luck!

Thanks so much guys! I think my problem is the same one as last yr. I don't know when to stop watering. When I water the seeds the seedlings "need water too". The ground is dry. I just don't know how long the roots are on the seedlings.
So last night I only watered seeds and places where nothing came up. I want to get a water meter. Soaker hose is on the list for next yr and to make a green house! I did use a sprinkler the other day but I really hate to waste water or to water unnecessary spots/weeds. I now have to get used to watering every other day and keep a close eye out. My peppers and tomatoes have slightly purple leaves which indicate over watering (1/2 the peppers wilt during the day). I only water the toms and peppers every other day and only once per day. I will pull out some compost to put around the baby seedlings. Thanks everyone!!!

for me it pretty much all comes down to mulching, see other thread this forum from GA gardener i think?

also see urine related thread in organic forum. we live in sub-tropicals and simply don't have watering prolems twice weekly absolute max for us, also in drought conditions, also rely on good rain guage so i can see how much rain we've had and stretch watering times.

anyhow have a look around the threads.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: lens straw bale garden