Watering: Top Signs Your Doing it Wrong (and how to do it right)

CLICK HERE to watch my watering how-to video on YouTube

Proper watering techniques can save you time and money and keep your plants healthy! Did you know that overwatering and underwatering can both cause damage to your edible plants?

Signs your plants are NOT GETTING ENOUGH water:

1. Plants not thriving

2. Wilted leaves

3. Leaves dying and dropping

4. Pest and disease issues: plants that are stressed are more susceptible to pests and diseases

   
   

Signs your plants are getting TOO MUCH water:

1. Plants not thriving

2. Wilted leaves

3. Leaves dying and dropping: Mold/mildewed leaves, black and rotten stems\

4. Pest and disease issues

   
   

Here's how to ensure your plants are getting the right amount of water:

The #1 TOP watering mistake: Overwatering

Check for soil moisture at the root zone - do the finger test before you water: just because the top of the soil is dry does not mean you need to water! Insert your finger into the soil at the base of your plants, up to about the second knuckle (see photo). If the soil is moist there is no need to water.

#2 Watering the Leaves of Plants

The roots of the plant need hydration, not the leaves. When you water, try and get near the base of the plant and let the water soak in, then soak it again. In order to encourage deep roots, water deeply less often. The plants roots will search for moisture below the surface. If you are always keeping just the surface moist, the roots will remain only at the surface. See below for info on efficient drip irrigation which will solve this issue for you!

#3 Accounting for Your Soil Type

Moisture levels in soils vary depending on soil types and even between different pots and raised beds. If your soil is healthy it should feel like a wrung-out sponge after watering, but not stay soggy or heavy (clay soils).

Sandy and loose soils will allow water to run off and drain too quickly. Try adding compost/organic matter to the surface of the soil every season to increase the organic matter and water holding capacity.

#4 Water Deeply*

Let the water soak in and water again. If the water runs off the surface, top dress around the base of the plant with fresh compost. When planting, create a trough around the plant base that will hold the water.

For pots, water several times until you see the water begin to drain out of the bottom.

*A note on tomatoes: Tomatoes have deep roots that will search for and access water deep in the soil. Tomatoes prefer to be watered deeply, less often (drying out some before watering again encourages the roots to grow deeper). Towards the end of summer, when all the fruit is set, water less often/cut off the water to stress the plant and encourage it to ripen the fruit.

Remember: Water the roots, not the leaves! Check for soil moisture/do the finger test before you water. Just because the top of the soil is dry does not mean you need to water.

Watering Video Tutorial

Click here to watch a full watering instructional video on YouTube.

Additional Watering Tips

Time of Day:

This is an age-old question: Do I water in the morning or the evening? There is good rationale for both arguments. Essentially you just don’t want to water in the heat of the day, or the water will evaporate too quickly, before the roots have time to absorb it. I prefer to water in the early morning, but that doesn’t always work out – in that case I water before the sun goes down so that the leaves of the plants have time to dry out before sundown. Wet leaves on tomatoes and squash, during humid summer nights, can make them more susceptible to fungal issues.

Drip Irrigation Systems

Irrigation systems (including soaker hoses) that slowly deliver water directly to the top of the soil are a great way to ensure that water gets absorbed into the soil versus running off. Make sure you are leaving it on long enough for the water to really penetrate deeply – check the moisture level at the roots of plants after you water and before watering again. You will still need to check moisture levels and adjust your watering days/times depending on the types of plants/sizes of plants and rainfall amounts. For that reason, I do not like preprogrammed irrigation settings for vegetable gardens (unless it’s for temporary use like vacations).

Resources:

Snohomish Conservation District – rain barrels, soil testing resources

Drip irrigation kits – Home Depot or Lowe’s has a simple raised bed kit that includes everything you need for a small garden. More advanced systems/design your own at DripWorks.com

If you're interested in learning more, check out my classes and events and be sure to sign up to get my emails. I also offer personalized garden consultations and coaching. Email me to set up a free 15-minute phone consultation. GrowingRootsTogether@gmail.com

Best of luck with your summer garden!

Marni