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Watering

jeanh

By Jeanh

London, United Kingdom Gb

Hi
I am new to this gardening lark. I have a small space outside my flat, and have just completed setting it all up. I only have pots, and have an assortment of bedding, shrubs, and climbers. I am getting conflicting advise on watering. some say you can over water, and some say you can't. which is true, and how do you know which plants need more water than others.
PS. Re my previous question. My rose has buds on now, and they do not seem to bed drying up, so thanks for the advise on that.



P1000393

Answers

 

The important factor is whether you've got holes in the bottom of the pots and containers to allow excess water to drain out freely. From the picture, it doesn't look as if you've got them sitting in trays, so they are able to drain freely. In which case, water when you think they need it - the biggest problem with contained plants outside is actually underwatering, not overwatering.

15 Jun, 2009

 

Get to know the weight of each pot. Lift the edge to tilt the pot and if it feels light, water it. They will probably need watering every day in summer, but far less, if at all, in winter. I agree with Bamboo, put saucers underneath through the summer to catch the runoff, the plant then drinks it up later. Remove them over winter to avoid the pots sitting in water continuously and raise them on 'pot-feet'. If you go away for a few days and have no-one to water for you try a plastic bottle with pin-prick holes in the lid. Fill it with water and put upside down into the soil. They will take a day or 2 to empty.

15 Jun, 2009

 

Very good advice from your first two answers.
Now that the weather is getting warmer I try and water my tubs and pots twice a day, morning and evening, but not in the full heat in the middle of the day.
In warm weather they dry out very quickly.

15 Jun, 2009

 

You have many clay pots, if you put a cotton reel on the end of a cane use it to tap your pots. If they ring they are dry. Also put pebbles on the top of your pots to stop them drying out. I water early in the morning when the soil in the pots is coolest. Also damp down the patio or paths at the same time.

15 Jun, 2009

 

thanks very much for all this info, it will certainly help

16 Jun, 2009

How do I say thanks?

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