The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Outdoor gardening in containers has many advantages, but it also has some challenges.
One such challenge is watering correctlyessential to ensure the health of your plants.
Here are tips andbest practices for wateringoutdoor container gardens.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
We all know that different types of plants can have different requirements for soil moisture.
Other herbs such asparsley,sage, andchiveslike more moisture.
Choose the Right Soil
Potting soil manufacturers offer several different soil formulas to simplify things for you.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Be aware that some potting soils have time-released fertilizers added to them.
There is nothing wrong with this, provided the nutrients are appropriate for the plants you want to grow.
If you use pre-fertilized potting soil, you don’t have to fertilize your container with water-soluble plant food.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Metal containers can also dramatically increase soil temperatures in containers, quickly drying soil and baking your plants.
The smaller the pot, the more diligent you should probably be monitoring soil moisture levels.
Check Moisture Levels
Before watering a container, be sure that the plants need water.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
Over-watering is just as harmful as under-watering.
If the soil feels dry at your fingertips, the plants need water.
Healthy root systems quickly grow and branch out through the soil toward the bottom of the container.
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
Drenching the container ensures that water reaches the entire root system.
Watering deeply encourages plants to develop strong root systems, and that provides better nutrition for the plants.
Wet foliage can invite fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.
The Spruce / Jayme Burrows
However, not everyone has the opportunity to water containers in the morning.
Wetting foliage can lead to an increased chance of fungal and other diseases and the water is wasted anyway.
It is also believed that wet foliage leads to sunscald.
Plant foliage can act like an umbrella and actually prevent water from reaching the soil.
Take matters into your own hands and monitor container moisture yourself, even after a heavy rainfall.
Dried out potting mix can also pull away from the sides of containers.
Heat, wind, and dry air can quickly parch your plants.
Over the growing season, you will know which of your containers and hanging baskets dry out the fastest.
You might find that watering once in the morning simply is not enough.
When the weather is very hot, you may need to increase watering to twice daily.
University of Maryland Extension.
Plants Grown in Containers.
North Carolina Extension Gardener Handbook.
Container Gardening: Watering Your Container Garden.
LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT PART 5: IRRIGATION TIME OF DAY.Clemson University Home & Garden Information Center.
