How often should plants be watered

 How many times should the plants be watered?

When I first started gardening, I realized that one of the biggest questions I had was how often to water the plants. I was very curious to see my plants grow, which led to constant watering the plants. In fact, there is no basic answer to this question because the level or frequency of irrigation depends largely on criteria such as climate, time of year, location, and type of plant. Continue reading below and you will find some brilliant and useful ideas to help answer the question: How often should plants be watered?

1. Moisture too

Most plants enjoy evenly moist soil throughout. When watering, make sure to pour the soil evenly over all areas, instead of filling only part of the plant with water. In this case, it is useful to note that a slight drying of the plant promotes new root growth. Always watering in one place can lead to incorrect nutrient absorption in the soil. Therefore, always pour water around the plant and cover all areas.

2. Less regular, more complete

Some gardeners believe it is better to give less water but do it more seriously. For example, a flower bed may need watering only once or twice a week. Again, giving some drying time will help strengthen the plant roots and in some cases promote flowering.

3. Time

It is usually recommended to water in the early morning or evening. Cold soil helps to retain water better by reducing water evaporation. This gives the plants more time to provide the hydration they need. However, be careful as too much water at night (especially if you keep the plant in a tray or in a pot with a saucer) can damage the plant when it is wet for too long. If watering at night, I like to remove excess water from the drain plate or saucer from the container.

4. Let the leaves dry

Drying the leaves has many benefits. Leaves that are kept wet at night can develop mold and disease. On the other hand, leaves that are wet on a hot day or in direct sunlight can cause burns. These burning marks caused by water on the leaves in hot sunlight are sometimes called the burning glass effect because water droplets became a kind of magnifying glass on the leaves.

5. Pour water over the roots

The roots of each plant play an important role in the survival and growth of that plant. For this reason, during watering, you need to make sure that enough water reaches the roots of the plants. If the amount of water is too low, it can only moisten the top layer of soil. Another problem is very low irrigation or mulching of the soil. Certain vegetables, especially basil and tomatoes, depend on adequate water when preparing for harvest. Sometimes, it takes a while for the water to penetrate into the soil and the area needs repeated watering to properly moisturize. Basil and tomatoes are ancillary plants that can enhance each other's taste if planted together.

6. Save water

Water is one of the most precious resources we have on this planet. For this reason, it is important to water the plants to minimize any wastage. Sometimes, the plants can be watered one on top of the other, so when too much water flows from one plant to the next the plant can be watered. Some vertical gardens work exactly this style. A simple irrigation system or humidity sensor can help reduce water usage. If it rains, try collecting water in buckets and containers or preferably a well. Let's save water!

7. Water stagnation

Water stagnation is caused by excess water in a particular area. It can be temporary or permanent depending on the conditions under which it occurs. When that happens, the soil will not be able to cope with the amount of water and will not be able to absorb water in the same way. Water stagnation reduces the amount of oxygen available to the roots in the soil.

8. Use quality soil

Whenever possible you should have clay soils so that they can hold water better and more consistently. However, drainage of water in pots and containers is very important to prevent stagnation, especially if the soil is exposed to excess water for a long time.

9. Finger test

Another way I find very useful in determining whether a plant needs irrigation is what I call “finger testing”. Place your finger on the soil a few centimeters, which will help you feel if the soil is wet or dry. The top layer of soil is dry plants, but the remaining moisture does not necessarily need water. However, if the soil is dry for more than the first 2 or 3 cm (depending on the size of the pot or container), it needs watering.

10. Containers

Different plants in containers require regular watering compared to others planted in the soil. Under normal circumstances, the water in the pots will flow as it exits through the holes in the bottom of the pot, so less water is retained. Another reason is that the soil heats up quickly, causing more evaporation. What makes things worse is that the root system of the plant is small and small in size, meaning it cannot go deep into the soil looking for more water if needed. In hot weather, container plants require daily watering, especially in the sun, which can be a bit difficult to maintain unless a watering system is installed. As a general rule, when you feel a few centimeters dry in the pot or you notice the plant withering, water the growing plants in containers. Pour water until excess water flows through the holes in the bottom of the pot, so be sure to have a tray or saucer to collect excess water and reuse it, especially if pouring water indoors.

11. Raised beds

Raised beds often require water for reasons such as those above. The composition of the raised bed, the type of plants, and the soil used can also affect the required irrigation schedule. Your best assessment is to carefully monitor the health of your plants with soil moisture and use these as an irrigation guide.

12. In the soil

If nature does not provide enough water in the form of rain (which is most common during the summer months), additional irrigation is necessary. Plants that grow deep in the soil. Generally, watering once or twice is sufficient, but in hotter or drier climates the plant may need frequent watering during growth or fruiting. For example, most fruit trees need regular watering throughout the year to avoid damaging the fruit during heavy rains.