Plant Watering Tips & Advice From
Nina's Complete Lawn And Garden
Care & Outdoor Living Center
About Watering In General
More than 90% of a plant's weight is water, so it is vital to replenish what's lost or used each day.
Regular watering is the most important way to maintain healthy plants, particularly under hot summer sun or climates. For best results:
Water in the morning — The best time to water is early morning or afternoon as the sun is setting; less water evaporates than during the mid-day heat. Avoid watering at night, as wet leaves are more susceptible to disease.
Water plants right after planting and frequently thereafter — Whenever the soil surface becomes slightly dry to the touch, its a good time to water thoroughly. In general, most plants prefer soil that is kept moist, not waterlogged.
Always water deeply so the water reaches the root zone — Shallow watering will result in shallow roots, which generally result in unhealthy plants that will not survive hot weather.
Watering Specific Types Of Plants
Watering Houseplants
Very few plants thrive in very wet or very dry soil. Each plant has its own requirements, but a good rule of thumb is to keep the soil nicely moist.
Remember, excess watering is by far the number one cause of houseplant failure. In fact, overwatering is the most common problem in growing plants in containers.
Dont take literally the old advice to allow a plant to dry out between waterings. Think of a sponge. If its totally dry, you can't squeeze out a drop of water, no matter how hard you try. If its totally saturated, water will run out of it without even squeezing it. But if it is just nicely moist, the sponge will produce a drop or two when you gently squeeze it.
Watering from the top with room-temperature water is the rule for most plants. When you water, be thorough. Pour on enough water so that some seeps into the saucer or tray below the pot. In fact, its essential that your plants are potted in containers with drainage holes. An hour later, discard any water remaining in the saucer. With practice, you will soon learn just how much water each of your plants need.
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Watering Vegetables
Vegetables need a steady supply of water, especially when they are flowering or fruiting. Putting your vegetables under water stress won't just result in puny or wilted plants, but ones that can taste bitter, too. So water properly and regularly, or you will taste the difference!
There are no exact formulas for watering because there can be many variations in soil, temperature and drying breezes. There are some guidelines based on plant type, plus a few general rules of thumb:
You can tell when to water by feeling the soil a couple of inches below the surface.
If the soil feels cool to the touch but doesn't wet or muddy your finger, it's just the right time to water.
If the soil is dry and dusty, you've waited too long. If it wets your finger, it's too soon to water.
To water thoroughly, moisten the soil to a depth of 8 to 12 inches. Then let the soil dry out a bit, and when it needs it, water again.
Always water deeply so the water reaches the root zone. Shallow watering will result in shallow roots, which generally results in unhealthy plants that will not survive in hot weather.
Once the plants are established, normal rainfall should be enough to keep your garden healthy. But if you live in a hot, dry climate or your area is experiencing drought conditions, you will have to water your garden on a regular basis in order to keep the vegetables growing. Water thoroughly as often as necessary to avoid the soil becoming hard and dry.
If you like, you can feed your plants as you water, using a water-soluble plant food mixed in your watering can or hose-end feeder. It will save you time and work and reward you with big, beautiful, delicious vegetables.
Vegetable Critical Watering Period
- Asparagus -As ferns begin to grow their foliage
- Broccoli -During the time the heads begin to develop
- Cabbage -During the time the heads begin to develop
- Carrot -As roots begin to enlarge
- Cauliflower -During flowering and head development
- Corn -As ear silk develops and tassels become apparent
- Cucumber -During flowering as well as through fruit development
- Eggplant -During flowering as well as through fruit development
- Lettuce Head -As heads begin to develop
- Leaf -consistently throughout development
- Lima Beans -Beginning at pollination and continuing through pod development
- Melon -During flowering and evenly throughout fruit development
- Onion -When bulbs begin to enlarge
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Watering Perennials
The amount of water a garden needs depends upon climate and weather conditions. Where summer rains are frequent, the garden may need irrigation only during an occasional dry spell. In parts of the arid West and Southwest, watering is one of the gardener's biggest chores.
Monitor weather conditions, especially rainfall, to be sure your plants are receiving adequate water. As a rule, your perennials should receive about one inch of water per week. Just be sure to water deeply to reach the root zone of the plant.
Try to water during the morning if possible, and avoid watering at night since wet foliage makes plants more susceptible to disease.
Of course, it is all right to spray plants occasionally with the hose or to use overhead sprinklers to remove dust from the leaves, as long as it is done early enough in the morning for the plants to dry before evening.
Soil Preparation
With very little effort, soil can be improved so your trees and shrubs will become established quickly, and grow stronger and healthier.
Enhancing the soil offers several benefits:
- Improving the porosity allows more water and nutrients into the root zone
- Reduces runoff compared to hard, crusty soil
- More oxygen becomes available to the plant roots
- Adapting the soil can provide nutrients to help plants with special needs, such as acid-loving evergreens and azaleas, thrive.
- Roots are encouraged to spread out and develop into a sturdy underground network to take in vital nutrients and moisture.
To prepare the soil for planting trees and shrubs, you can:
1. Spread the materials over the planting bed and till them into the soil, or
2. Mix the conditioners with the soil previously removed from the planting holes before replacing it around the plant roots.
Both methods can turn almost any soil into a planting area in which your trees, shrubs and ornamentals will thrive.
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