How to water your plants.

All plants need water to survive.  Every gardener, at one time or another, has to tackle the question of when to water plants. Usually it's not a challenge. But when plants are struggling, when and how much to water is a major factor contributing to how well your plant does. This article will help determine when it's the right time to water your garden, houseplants, outdoor planters or container gardens.

I took a gardening/horticultural course through a university extension class. One of the main things we learned was that the first two reasons plants die are either too much water or not enough.

Just an FYI, I found a great hack to prevent water from running through your hanging baskets. Those poor hanging baskets struggle in the summer heat!

Why is the correct amount of water so important to plants?

The critical things needed for almost any type of plant to grow include sunshine, nutrients in the soil, the right temperature and water. Plants use water to carry nutrients throughout the plant. It also lets the plant regulate cooling by allowing some water to evaporate on the leaves (let the plant do this, do NOT spray water on the leaves during hot sunny weather).

See how when I water with my watering can I am watering between the plants so the water gets to the soil without soaking the flowers and foilage? One of the worst things you can do to a plant is wet all the leaves when watering on a hot sunny day. The water magnifies the sun and scorches the leaves.

The process of respiration (breathing) and photosynthesis (creating and storing energy) all require the plant have and use water as part of the process.

When is the best time to water plants?

If at all possible, try to plan your watering schedule so plants are watered in the mornings, especially outdoor plants.
The weather is cooler so the water evaporates less. Morning watering also allows the plants to store water to get through the hot day. There is more to watering plants than just spraying a jet of water at the plant.

If you can't water the plant in the early morning, do water some when you can. Early evening would be a decent second option if you can't do morning watering. Just know that it's not the best time. If the plant is showing signs of distress from lack of water, don't wait until the morning to water, gently give it some water when it needs it. But do water the soil, not the leaves.

Water at the base. Do not spray the leaves because they may get the plant equivalent of sunburn on the leaves or vegetables/fruit.  I have some outdoor container plants that need to be watered more than once a day when it's hot. In the summer, it's not unusual for me to water container plants early in the morning and then again in the early evening when it's starting to cool down. Test to determine if your soil is actually dry and needs water!

Important watering tips

Deep watering

Long slow deep watering is so much better for the plant than a quick light watering. Watering less frequently but deeply helps the root systems get stronger because the roots grow to seek out water. Often there is moisture a few inches below the surface that the plant has access to but we can't see it. That's why it's so important not just to use a visual glance at the garden soil surface to decide if the plant needs water. If you have been watering deeply, and letting your plant dry between waterings, the root systems grow deeper into the soil and the plant is generally healthier than if it is continually given sips with frequent waterings.

Water the soil near the base of the plant, not the foliage

Don't water by spraying water all over the plant! When the plant is in the hot sun and you wet the foliage, the leaves can get scorched and damaged by the sun. Use a watering wand to direct the water lower on the plant, towards the base of it. You want the water directed to the soil. For some plants like tomatoes, it's important to try not to splash the soil onto the leaves to prevent fungus in the soil from attacking the plant.

When I water my yellow tickseed coreopsis (one of my favorite perennials), I aim the watering wand near the base of the plant.  I don't spray the whole plant.

Drip irrigation or using soaker hoses are great but not everyone needs to cover that amount of area or can afford to install them.

An overhead sprinkler is not recommended because of water evaporation and how the leaves are soaked. The water is not directed towards the roots by the ground.  Yes, when it rains the water goes all over the plant.  But, it doesn't normally rain on a hot sunny day!

Why should you let plants dry between watering?

The vast majority of plants should dry between waterings. One of the main reasons is that if the soil is constantly wet, the roots will suffer from root rot. This is also one of the reasons morning watering is encouraged. If you water too late in the evening, the soil can stay wet overnight and cause root rot issues. W

Gnat prevention tip

When you have plants indoors, by allowing them to dry between waterings, it will help with managing gnats. Gnats love a wet soil environment.

Planter drainage holes

Make sure the planters you use have drainage holes! If they don't the water pools inside the pot and the excess has no way of leaving. Also, once the container plant is well watered, remove the extra water from the saucer so the soil does have an opportunity to dry. That's also a good practice to prevent mosquitos from breeding in the water. Ewwwww.

Best way to determine if the soil is wet/moist/or dry?

I always thought moisture readers were useless but saw one at a yard sale for $1 so I bought it. Of course I had to poke it into different planters and spots everywhere in my garden! I found some interesting things. One side of my windowbox was always wet and the other dry - due to it not sitting totally straight. That solved the mystery as to why some of my plants weren't doing well in that windowbox! Also, I found I was overwatering some containers. They seemed dry but once the probe was at 2-3 inches deep, the soil would be moist or even wet! I don't use it all the time, but I do like having it help me understand the watering needs of my garden. It's been especially helpful with my raised beds. Just because the soil looks dry, that doesn't mean the plants need to be watered!

Use a moisture reader

I love how simple the display is! I also was interested to read that these types of probes require no batteries! Essentially because of different metals and moisture and some other science stuff (I stopped being interested at this point), the probes are essentially a battery. No need to buy the little expensive batteries is the point! These moisture probes are not expensive (even for two.)

My personal suggestion is to have separate probes for outdoors and indoors. There are obviously more critters in outdoor soil and you wouldn't want to transfer them to your indoor plants accidentally.

Test for moisture in the soil with your finger

A traditional way to test if the soil is still moist is to stick your finger into the soil to at least the depth of two knuckles. You want to see if the soil is moist in the area the roots are. Not the surface of the soil.

Lift (or tip) your pots or container gardens to see how heavy they are

You'll notice a definite difference in weight when the soil is wet vs. dry. Once you see how light planters are when they are dry, it's such an easy way to know when to water. This is my favorite method!

Some general outdoor watering suggestions 

Watch the water temperature

Be careful of the water temperature. For example, if a hose has been sitting in the hot sun for hours, the water in it will be very hot! I usually make sure the hot water has been removed from the hose prior to watering my plants.

Water softened water

It's better to use water that has not been softened by your water softener. Usually outside spigots and often the kitchen faucets are not softened. For indoor plants, I often fill my watering can with tap water and let it sit for a few hours to have room-temperature water and allow some of the chemicals (chlorine) to evaporate. It's just something I do from my days as an aquarium owner.

Invest in a quality kink-free garden hose

It makes this chore quicker, and easier and then there is less swearing involved (sorry neighbors!).

Buy a good sprayer and/or water wand with adjustable patterns

This helps gently direct water where you want it (at the soil level). You can get great buys at the end of the season! I do use a sprinkler to occasionally water my lawn. Sprinklers are also great end-of-the-season buys!  Make sure you can adjust the spray intensity on the water wand or nozzles.  Don't blast your plants with water!  You can damage the stem/leaves and roots!

Check soil moisture levels before watering

I've been gardening for many years. I was surprised by what I've learned using my moisture probe. You invest so much in soil and plants, these moisture probes are a cheap/frugal investment. They are less than $8 each (when you buy this two-pack). These are so important for container gardens, planters, flower baskets and even raised beds!

Watering early morning is best!

Late afternoon or early evening watering when the temperature has cooled and the sun is less intense the second option. If your plant is under distress (seriously drooping, crispy looking, very dry) then do give it a drink.  This applies to perennials, annuals, shrubs, and especially vegetable plants!

Fertilize planters!

If you have to water your planters often, they also need to be fertilized often. I fertilize my flower containers approximately every 10-14 days with diluted fertilizer. This Miracle Grow Bloom Booster fertilizer keeps your flowers thriving and blooming! Take a close look at the package and notice how it clearly states Bloom Booster. You want that one for your flowering planters. It does make a difference!!

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