Water seeds daily and rest every 2 days?

[gadgetman]

Given the hot weather, and the fact the raised bed is in the sun all day, should I water seeds & seedlings daily?

I'm thinking of watering the bigger plants I planted the weekend every other day so they root down well.

Am I right with my logic, or should I be watering daily regardless in this hot weather? Dont have a water butt yet (only decided the other week I'd be growing my own), and each watering session is using a lot of water!!!

[zazen999]

Seeds, seedlings or plants planted out?

Anything that is out of the ground, water when the compost is dry.

Anything that is in the ground, water if it wilts.

Celery, water as much as you can.

[gadgetman]

Veg is all in a raised bed, and was planted on Sunday from established plants/seedlings. These I was planning every other day unless wilting.

I also planted some seed which is my main worry. Or should I relax and only water the seeded area when I water the wilting stuff?

Am watering after 8pm when there is a bit of shade from the fencing.

[rana]

Seeds are designed to germinate in damp conditions (and at the appropriate temperatures) and need to throw down roots quickly to find water. Once sown and watered I think you are committed to daily watering in hot dry weather so the germinating seedlings have a fighting chance.

I only sow seeds in the ground when wet weather is imminent with the expectation that some will naturally survive and flourish without watering.

[gadgetman]

Thanks Rana.

[Two_Sheds]

Good advice from Rana ... don't sow in hot weather.

When I sow, I make a shallow drill, water it well, then water it again. Sow seeds onto the damp drill, then cover with dry soil, which acts as a mulch trapping the moisture where the seeds need it.

[helanuels]

Good advice from Rana ... don't sow in hot weather.

When I sow, I make a shallow drill, water it well, then water it again. Sow seeds onto the damp drill, then cover with dry soil, which acts as a mulch trapping the moisture where the seeds need it.

Hmmm... that might be why mine haven't done anything, it was really really hot and planter was in sun for a few hours before I started. I put my planter on a tray and filled with compost then filled tray with water and refilled till compost had soaked it up just below the top, I made a line in the compost, sowed seeds spaced out and covered with the compost I'd moved out the way (which was dry) and then next day watered tray twice and top once at night because it looked very dry. Have I done it all wrong? Hx