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I have a watering question! I am not sure how often it is necessary to water certain plants. I am talking about normal summer weather now (in the upper 80's or thereabouts). Last week it was in the 90's so of course, I water my potted plants and veggies every day. But now I am wondering, since the heat wave is over for now, how often I need to water the following:
Tomatoes
Zuccini
Red Pepper
Stella D'Ora Day Lilies
Do I need to water my small raised veggie bed every day? This is the first time I have planted tomatoes and others veggies in ground. I have been watering daily and they are doing terrific. I have lots of lil 'maters already (still green) and I am so surprised!
Are veggies heavy eaters and do they need daily watering?
What about Day Lilies? I didn't water them this morning. I was going to, but then decided not to. Aren't they 'drought tolerant'? Can I water them every other day in normal summer weather? (under 90 deg.)
I thought you teach your plants to become dependent on water when you water them too much, and not learn to become a little more 'tolerant' in warm weather. I heard that somewhere! If I go on vacation, they won't get water for a week, that's why I thought I need to teach them to survive/thrive without daily watering?
How often do you water? (asking those who have summers without brutal heat usually)
Do you water in morning or late afternoon?
THANKS!!!

I rarely ever water my plants unless they are new or we are having drought conditions or it's unusually hot. Potted plants and vegetables though, I water every other day or couple of days, or every day when it's very hot and hasn't rained. As far as timing, I just water when I think of it. If my plants are starting to shrivel or wilt, I'll water right then, of course.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: theoriginalfluffy,

wish i could help but there is no pattern to my watering. i go by instinct, subscribing to the theory that it is better to under water than over water. i do a bed at a time when the spirit moves me.. and give it a good deep soaking. i think plants can tolerate less watering when they get that deep soaking. weather temp makes a difference too. i try to get to all outdoor potted plants daily or at least every other day. trust your garden to tell you if its not happy with the way you are doing it.

Its always a question how much, how often, to water plants and I think the best answer is
'when you think it is necessary'.
Potted plants, because they have such little volume of soil, they can dry out quickly.
And, when you pencil in the weather they are confronted by, more---or less, everyday watering is the usual.
of course, rain notwithstanding, water in mid-morning---never at night which can bring on mildew and mold. If necessary, afternoons toward early evening to give the plant time to dry out its leaves. This is very true for roses which are prone to powdery mildew.
Overnight wetting of plants is just inviting disease and sickness.
Generally, potted plants are watered to the point of draining. This ensures you that you have given enough--the excess will run away.
Hence, this is particularly why you should always use pots with a hole in the bottom and something between the soil and the hole. Soil, because of its small volume, is easily washed into the hole, possibly blocking it.
Dried out, soil in a pot can shrink from the sides so that when you water, it runs down the sides and may never make contact with the roots.

The garden should not be watered to the extent that puddles form but, with good drainage, that concern is avoided.
You have to imagine how much water can the plant use between waterings and if you think its had enough, then hold off for a time..a day, or so.
The hot sun, hitting the ground for 5, 6, 7 hours a day, doesn't take long to dry out the roots. Your plants' leaves are the first to tell you when water is desperately needed.

Wavie, most plants, flower or veggie, do best if they get around 1" per week. They also do better if this is deep soaking rather than sprinkle just the top of the soil. If you only hand water the top, the roots will tend to stay closer to the surface & not learn to "reach" for the deeper moisture that contains the minerals & other soil goodies they need.
I always stick my finger into the soil. If I don't feel any moisture for at least 1-1 1/2", I will water...and the rest like Fluffy said!

That 1 inch of water per week applies to lawns under idea conditions, so the weather can affect that amount. Just how much water to give plants depends on what the plants need. As some have popinted out plants growing in containers may need to be watered daily, or even twice a day, depending on how much water they loose. Plants transpire moisture through their leaves and on very hot days will loose a lot as they attempt to keep the area cool.
Water enough to maintain an evenly moist soil, becasue plants do not uptake nutrients in the absence of moisture.
Karens method of measuring moisture level is a good one.

quote:

Originally posted by Wavee:
If I go on vacation, they won't get water for a week, that's why I thought I need to teach them to survive/thrive without daily watering?

Of course it depends on the natural rainfall that might occur over that week, but if there are hot temps and no rain your tomatoes may not do well. Tomatoes like to have even moisture and are easily stressed by drought. Could you have someone water them once when you are away?

I've always watered deeply and seldom so plants develop deep roots, altho during a drought that still means I'm watering some part of my garden daily. If you watch your plants you may find one that gives warning of dryness. I have some perennial sunflowers that like to droop when they are getting dry and I know then that I need to water soon.

This year I've only had to water a bit as we've had rain, rain, and more rain!

You're right about the tomatoes. Didn't even think of that at all! I don't know if I want to ask anyone to come into my backyard when I'm away to water my veggies. Maybe I can put in some upside drip bottles (2 liter bottles). I think I will try it out first and see if it works. I actually have room to put some 2 liter bottles in, with tiny holes in them in case we get no rain. I have to collect bottles first!!!
Yes, I listened to ya'll, good advice, thanks. You were absolutely right!!! I forgot that less water is better than too much water. The first year I moved here, I bought flower pots for my front porch. I was excited this was my very first house, first flowers, etc.
Well, I ended up ki11ing them by overwatering. It was very hot so I gave them a lot of water, daily. Eventually they started drooping and then died. I had to replace them all by about August 1st or thereabouts. It wasn't easy finding nice containers at that time, needless to say.
Thanks again for reminding me!!!