Watering

[Lou-lou]

I am a newby and at present i have 1 bed of strawberries, courgettes and cucumbers and further beds under construction.
I am a bit confused over the watering of the beds. All the books say different things
Do I not water at all, apart from in drought conditions?
Do I soak once a week?
Do I water every night?

I am just trying the plastic bottle buried in the soil, next to the roots.
But how often do I fill it up?

As I write this it is tipping it down with rain, so not much of a problems at the mo, but does any one have any good advise?

Thanks Louise

[Alice]

Hello Lou Lou, I don't know where you are in the country so it's difficult to advise. Basically watering is a matter of using your judgement and commom sense. Some plants need a lot of water, some can fend for themselves or do well in dry conditions. Young plants have very small roots and need some assisatance in dry conditions to do well.
The plants you are growing all need a fair bit of water. Never let them dry out. As you say it is raining at the moment so there is no problem. When it stops raining (if it ever does) check the ground every day. It may look dry on the surface if it is very warm so scrape a little back and see what it is like underneath. If the soil is damp underneath there is no need to water. If it is dry give it a good soaking. How long this will last will depend on the weather and the type of soil you have. It may last a week or you may have to do it every day.
The good soaking can be given with a hose, a watering can or filling the plastic bottles which seens to be the method you are using - or rain, which is the most effective method of all.
At the end of the day it's down to your judgement. If the ground's dry - water. If it's not - Don't. And don't ever pour water over leaves in bright sunlight, it scorches the leaves. Hope this helps.

[Lou-lou]

Thanks
Louise

[Lesley Jay]

We water every other day unless it has been raining and then there is no need. When the weather is really hot we water every day and always in the early evening. If you water during the day in hot weather the sun will dry the ground before your plants have the chance to benefit from the water.

[Getoffmylande]

Hiya Lou Lou
As for the advice that has already been given no problems . Just like to add that if you water every day you can make the plants lazy and they won't put down too good a root system. the roots will stay close to the surface. We tend to give a good soaking twice a week on the allotment but never water the potatoes at all. That is because there is a bit of a blight problem in our area. i do agree though about the seedlings need to stay moist.As my wife starts work early in the morning I tend to head off to the allotments at about half five in the morning rather than at night. Its also beneficial to me as no one else is around at that time.Advice well worth bearing in mind if you water with a hosepipe as some people tend to get upset in the evening if you hog the water taps when everyone wants to water. Hope you find this useful and good luck.