Container grown plants dry out quickly and require more water than their backyard counterparts growing in open soil. This is because potting soil is often lighter and less compact than regular home garden soil and the water holding capacity around the plant is determined by the size and type of the container. Watering potted plants once a day or even twice daily may be necessary, especially if the weather turns hot and windy or your outdoor containers are located in full sunlight. Watch closely, and check moisture levels often. If the growing media appears pale or cracked, or is dry to the touch below the soil’s surface, it’s time to water.
The easiest way to water container plants is with a watering can or gentle hose. However, when you water make sure that you are watering the soil and not just the plant’s leaves. Continue watering until it runs out the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. The idea is to water thoroughly but allow enough time between waterings for the soil to begin drying out. A moisture meter, available at many garden centers, can be used to instantly determine when to water your plants. If the potting mix remains soggy for too long, air will be forced away from the roots and your plants may suffocate or drown.
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When Mother Nature doesn’t deliver, your garden doesn’t have to suffer. Planet Natural has backup watering equipment that will keep your potted plants from going thirsty. Plus, rain barrels that save precious water that would just roll through your gutters.
Do not let plants sit in standing water. If a plastic plant saucer is used under the container, make sure that it does not remain wet for more than an hour or two after watering. Poor drainage and damp soil conditions favor root-killing disease fungi that can develop as either root rot or dieback. Visit the Penn State Extension for more information about root problems on plants.
Are your potted plants drying out too quickly? Try grouping them together so they shade each other. This will reduce water evaporation and decrease the need to water so often. It will also cool the soil and help keep heat stress to a minimum. In general, smaller containers will dry out more quickly than larger ones – but the bigger the pot, the more water it will require with each watering.
If you find yourself watering potted plants far more often than you would like, or you will be away for extended periods, consider installing an automated irrigation system. Many are commercially available or you can make your own pop bottle drip irrigation system here.
Another way to reduce the watering needs of container plants is to mix water holding “agro-polymers” (sold under the trade name Soil Moist) into the potting mix prior to planting. These super absorbent beads capture water that would normally pass by root zones. As the potting mix dries, the stored moisture is released back to the plants as needed.
Tip: Use organic mulches on top of your soil mix to reduce moisture loss during hot summer days.
Eric Vinje founded Planet Natural with his father Wayne in 1991, originally running it as a grasshopper bait mail-order business out of a garage.
Eric is now retired, but is still a renowned gardener known for his expertise in composting, organic gardening and pest control, utilizing pesticide-free options, such as beneficial insects.
Eric believes when you do something good for the environment, the effects will benefit generations to come.
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