A common question newbie gardeners ask is: how will I know when to water my garden? When it comes to watering the garden, there are no fixed rules. It greatly depends on the soil, type of plant, and other factors.
The Soil
Experienced gardeners examine first the soil’s condition before watering. They will know it is time to water when, of course, the soil is dry. Conversely, if the soil is pretty much moist, it is an indicator the plants don’t need watering.
Watering
Watering needs to be done in moderation. Too much water could suffocate the plants. Meanwhile, too little could lead to dehydration. So, how do you know when to stop watering plants? When water starts to accumulate or pool, this is a signal to stop.
Try to simulate rain while watering. This prevents soil dislodging. You can do this if the tip or opening of your hose has a variety of nozzles that come with a built-in flow control.
Type of Plant
Before anything else, you need to learn your plants’ needs. In that way, you will be able to determine the frequency of your daily watering routine.
Some plants like to sit in water and some plants don’t, like tomatoes for example. Tomatoes need less watering than the rest. A common mistake newbie gardeners make is they water tomatoes too much. This leads to very disappointing outcomes. For the tomato, too much watering might cause Blossom End Rot (BER).
Some extreme plants, like snake plants and the ponytail palm, don’t need water.There are also plants that require a plenty amount of water, like the banana tree.
Other Factors
Another factor for watering is the weather. The hotter the weather means faster water evaporation. If the weather is relatively cooler, the longer it takes for water to evaporate into the air.
Your garden soil must be wet and moist at all times. Pay attention to the weather changes. Adjust accordingly to the state of the weather or your garden’s soil. As mentioned earlier, there are no fixed rules on how often you water your garden. You need to be proactive with your schedule and your approach regarding watering your plants.
The question about how often watering should be done mainly depends on the soil, your plants’ needs, and the act of watering itself. And as you continue your gardening endeavors, it is only a matter of time before all these become second nature. You’ll be able to tell whether it’s time or not and you’ll become highly proficient in keeping your plants in good condition.
