Watering in this hot weather

[robfosters]

It's been hot lately hasn't it

However, this being my first attempt at growing veg in containers, I am obviously panicking a bit. It seems as though my compost is drying up in minutes. As yet, I have been stupid enough not to dig down to see if it is still moist underneath, but a few crops like the spring onions have not germinated yet, so do they need to compost right at the surface to be moist?

I have given a good water at sundown, but am nervous about whats happening during the day. In this weather is one good watering at sundown enough or should I be watering more frequently?

I know some might say "If it's dry, water it", but atm it's drying up every 5 minutes.

[cptncrackoff]

My biggest problem every year is my temptation to over water everything, this year i'm trying not to water everything as much, all my seeds that are sown get a gentle misting rather than a watering, just damp rather than wet.

[Two_Sheds]

atm it's drying up every 5 minutes.

No, it's not

I've been having 40c in the gh, and I'm watering once a day if that. I don't like watering the soil surface, it encourages shallow rooting, moulds and fungus gnats. Plants and seeds don't need a moist surface, they drink through their roots, which are going to be down the bottom of the pot

I stand all my little 3" pots in a gravel or cat litter tray for a 10 min drink

Larger pots need to be stood on saucers: put water into those until the plant stops sucking it up

[Potstubsdustbins]

Follow 2 sheds advice and you won't go far wrong.

When you have watered as above weigh the pot in your hand you will find a big difference between the weight of a dry pot and the weight of a wet one.

As to putting your finger into the compost that is not as silly as it sounds. Just gently probe into the compost away from the plant you will find it quite moist underneath and that should put your mind at rest.

Colin

[Glutton4...]

I've always stood my pots in my Grow-bag trays. It is easy to water dozens of pots at once that way. The only problem I have with that, is getting the darn things to sit level!

[dope540]

top stuff. i've been watering mine once a day. will start checking for moistness now.

[Rabidbun]

I've been watering mine with a quick drench once a week max at the moment (smaller pots if they feel light more often).I have to water top down though (no saucer big enough alas), and I either try to tip the pot to see how heavy/wet it is or poke down an inch or two like folks have already suggested. Containers are quite deceptive in making you think they've dried up.

[arpoet]

I often use plastic supermarket food trays and stand 4 or 5 pots in each one and water the tray whilst in the greenhouse. When i am getting ready to plant in the allotment i put the pots into old plastic fish boxes (without holes) for a day or two in the cold frame, still watering from the bottom. They are dead easy to put into the car and carry around the plot for planting when conditions are right.

[Chitfaced]

Being new to all this I am constantly in and out of the garden prodding pots and staring suspiciously at so-called 'dry' soil. Plants are a bit like babies, you've just got to figure out what they're trying to say to you. Do you want feeding? Do you want changing? etc.

I think I'm going to hold off on the watering too. At the moment I am watering early morning as well as evening.... although some things are doing well, others it's too early to tell.

[Two_Sheds]

Up the lotty, had a poke around: dug down a spit and there was moist soil, so no watering necessary yet (it's about 6 weeks since decent rain)

I'm watering new plantings in well, but then they're on their own

[Poddington Pea]

I've been watering every evening, but having read this I may hold off a little.
The thing is, I enjoy watering them, it makes me feel like I'm looking after them when there's not alot else I can be doing just now. I don't like to see a wilting plant and my radishes certainly need lots of water, we've already pulled up a split one.
We'll keep praying for rain, that'll stop me for a few days!
X

[gan heather]

I wasn't able to get to my lottie for a week, so everything went a whole week without water in this warm weather and I didn't lose anything. More than that, everything looked really good. I try only to water when I absolutely have to and as I'm on clay soil, though it looks dry on the surface, it's still pretty moist right beneath.