WATERING YOUR PLANTS
Probably the most important task to master in growing a quality plant is in the proper watering. There are many factors to consider in developing a good watering strategy. Restaurants employ a great chef to put out a great meal and greenhouse operations employ a great grower to produce a great plant.
There are many factors involved in growing a great plant and proper watering is one of the most important. Too much or too little water can kill your plants. Soil structure is a very important consideration in making water available to a plant. A good soil is comprised in part of 25 % water 25 % air 10-20% organic matter. As your percentage of water decreases your plants wilt and in severe cases the plants die. Transpiration takes place and if the roots cannot bring up water, your plants dry up. When your soil has more than 25 % water, air is reduced. With excessive water in the soil air is lacking and your plant roots drown.
The death of the roots causes dead tissue and rot sets in. Plants then die. It is important to remember that both water and air are needed to balance your soil. So developing a proper watering strategy is important. However, watering is more than keeping up a watering schedule. There are many environmental factors that come into play that make watering a daily decision. Extreme heat or windy days increase transpiration and require more watering. Smaller containers require more watering than large containers and plants planted in the garden require less. Plants that are mulched in need less watering than those that are not.
We need to remember that water is the most precious commodity we have. It is the essence of life. Its value is greater than oil or gold. In many parts of the country demand exceeds supply. Through fracking we are reducing our water supply. So as gardeners we can do our part conserving water by covering our beds with a 2 inch layer of mulch. This reduces evaporation and conserves water for plant use. We can follow an organic lawn program and water our lawns twice a week applying a ½” of water at a time. Many homeowners run their sprinkling systems for long periods early every day. Heavy watering can cause leaching and run off and if you use chemical fertilizers this leads to contamination of our water ways. Don’t use chemical fertilizers use only organic fertilizers. Don’t follow an excessive watering program on your lawns. Frequent watering develops a shallow root system.
In the garden, overhead watering if it is going to be done at all should take place early in the morning so it can dry off. Overhead Watering in the evening can lead to fungus problems as the foliage remains wet and this is conducive to fungus problems. Flowers and vegetables are particularly susceptible.
Container gardening is gaining great popularity but it requires a greater command, commitment and understanding of water needs. Many condos have large balconies, decks or terraces where people do their outdoor living. Great views are often the selling point for these pieces of property. With plants and containers we can develop a wonderland of color. There is a demand for great views, great color and a place for you to enjoy part of nature. Gardening is enjoying the fruits of your labor and your ability to create beauty. Proper watering of your container plants is the secret to a beautiful garden. When dealing with containers, you never over water by watering too much at one time; you over water by watering too frequently. I like to give my plants a thorough watering and then let them get slightly dry. In container gardening overwatering usually occurs in very large built-in containers. The tendency in most cases is to under water I check my containers daily.
Again, small containers will need more watering and large will need less. Locations exposed to wind and dry hot sun need more water. Terrace gardening is intensive gardening and requires great care. A green thumb is a thumb of knowledge and experience. You will get the experience by doing. Don’t worry about being a novice; plants will tell you when they are dry. . The most important trait you need to develop is to be observant and attentive to the needs of your plants. The finger test where you actually touch the soil to determine if it is dry or wet is your best indicator when you are in doubt.
Plants in the end will give back more than what you can give to them. I can get very sentimental and tell you how if you become their caretaker they will become part of your family. The best part of my day is to wake up in the morning and go out into my greenhouse and water my plants. I marvel at how fast they grow, how beautiful they become and how strong and healthy they are. I love my plants and they love me back. It boggles my mind how beautiful and healthy an organically grown plant can become. Automation of your watering chores is less fun but may become necessary. Drip irrigation is the way to go. Hook up your system to a timer. Drip irrigation is an easy system to install either on your own or by a professional. You can easily tweak your system as you go along by adding more leaders to your watering system where you encounter dry spots.
If you spend a lot of time away from your plants you will need either house sitters or an automated watering system. Even if you have an automated system, have someone periodically check if it is working properly.
I like to feed my outside container plants once a week with a liquid organic fertilizer. Heavy watering will leach nutrients from your soil. My favorite organic fertilizer is Natures Source. Strong healthy plants resist insect and disease problems and are more resilient to water extremes. Don’t forget to water your plants. Hot summer weather can be tough on them.
I need to make one other personal point. I invented Krautter’s Year Round Organic Vegetable Garden. One of the amazing functions of this system is how it self watered plants during the winter months. This principle can be applied to drought torn areas in our country demonstrating how we recycle our water back into the soil. View my promotional video and pass this information along to others. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO
Happy organic gardening. There is nothing more uplifting in your day than enjoying the beauty of your garden. The more flowers you have the more friends you have. My father used to plant his perennials in a sequence of bloom. Each week as they came into flower he would welcome his old friend back.
