WATER….
…Water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Potted plants must feel like that sometimes. Watering is the most common mistake gardeners make, and the main reason so many plants do not perform well. From what I have observed over the last twenty odd years, most people do not water outdoor (or indoor plants) properly. Here are some watering tips to help you maintain spectacular outdoor potted plantscapes.
Water the pot, not the plant. In other words, direct the water stream into the pot, not on the leaves and flowers. This reduces the amount of water splashed onto the leaves and flowers which in turn, reduces leaf burn and the chances of attracting diseases. It also ensures the water is going where it is needed most – to the roots.
Fill the pot to the rim with water and allow it to drain through the soil.
If the water flows through the soil and out the bottom quickly (within seconds), then repeat the previous step. When water “percolates” through too quickly that means the soil is not absorbing it, so the plant roots do not receive enough water.
When to water is another problematic issue. It is not enough to water pots when the soil feels dry to the touch. That doesn’t work as the top of the soil will dry out faster than the soil at the bottom of the pot. The technique I use for checking moisture levels in a potted plant has never failed. I lift the pot up. If the pot feels light, it needs water. If it is heavy, it does not.
Many people have asked me how to tell the difference because pots of plants are always heavy! When pots are watered properly, they are much heavier than when they need to be watered. After you have lifted the pots before and after watering a few times, you will soon learn to tell the difference.
How often should I water? Container gardens are exposed to a lot of sun and wind. These two elements conspire to constantly rob the containers of moisture. Hanging baskets are particularly susceptible to the drying effects of sun, but especially the wind. Therefore, you will find you need to water every single day. Here comes the exception – if a container is in a shady location, protected from the wind, you may find they only need watering every other day. Here, we have had summer days that have been brutally hot and dry. During those periods, I have had to water some hanging baskets twice a day. Usually the ones hanging on the south or west sides of the house.
Does water temperature matter? If you are dealing with mature plants, no. If you are dealing with tender, young transplants, yes. In most cases, you will have established plants in your container gardens, so I wouldn’t worry about the water temperature too much. What comes out of the garden hose will be just fine. Young plants should be watered with room temperature water. It is less shocking to their delicate systems than cold water.
What about water pressure? That too is important. If you use just the hose, opened one quarter to half way, with no spray nozzle, the water will flow out slowly enough that you will not wash the soil out of the pots. The task of watering may take a bit longer, but it will be more effective.
…Water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Potted plants must feel like that sometimes. Watering is the most common mistake gardeners make, and the main reason so many plants do not perform well. From what I have observed over the last twenty odd years, most people do not water outdoor (or indoor plants) properly. Here are some watering tips to help you maintain spectacular outdoor potted plantscapes.
Water the pot, not the plant. In other words, direct the water stream into the pot, not on the leaves and flowers. This reduces the amount of water splashed onto the leaves and flowers which in turn, reduces leaf burn and the chances of attracting diseases. It also ensures the water is going where it is needed most – to the roots.
Fill the pot to the rim with water and allow it to drain through the soil.
If the water flows through the soil and out the bottom quickly (within seconds), then repeat the previous step. When water “percolates” through too quickly that means the soil is not absorbing it, so the plant roots do not receive enough water.
When to water is another problematic issue. It is not enough to water pots when the soil feels dry to the touch. That doesn’t work as the top of the soil will dry out faster than the soil at the bottom of the pot. The technique I use for checking moisture levels in a potted plant has never failed. I lift the pot up. If the pot feels light, it needs water. If it is heavy, it does not.
Many people have asked me how to tell the difference because pots of plants are always heavy! When pots are watered properly, they are much heavier than when they need to be watered. After you have lifted the pots before and after watering a few times, you will soon learn to tell the difference.
How often should I water? Container gardens are exposed to a lot of sun and wind. These two elements conspire to constantly rob the containers of moisture. Hanging baskets are particularly susceptible to the drying effects of sun, but especially the wind. Therefore, you will find you need to water every single day. Here comes the exception – if a container is in a shady location, protected from the wind, you may find they only need watering every other day. Here, we have had summer days that have been brutally hot and dry. During those periods, I have had to water some hanging baskets twice a day. Usually the ones hanging on the south or west sides of the house.
Does water temperature matter? If you are dealing with mature plants, no. If you are dealing with tender, young transplants, yes. In most cases, you will have established plants in your container gardens, so I wouldn’t worry about the water temperature too much. What comes out of the garden hose will be just fine. Young plants should be watered with room temperature water. It is less shocking to their delicate systems than cold water.
What about water pressure? That too is important. If you use just the hose, opened one quarter to half way, with no spray nozzle, the water will flow out slowly enough that you will not wash the soil out of the pots. The task of watering may take a bit longer, but it will be more effective.
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