Best methods for watering

[ItsEssexRob]

Ill try and drill some more then. For smaller pots the ones already there should be enough?

[binley100]

Mine sit on gravel in trays ......seems to hold them up and if the gravel is dry it's a pretty good indication they may be thirsty. hopefully it deters the slimy population too ......

[Moo's Mum]

Moisture also makes ideal conditions for slugs & snails (which tend to come out after dark).

Over the last week or so I've been watering my plot at around 4.30am. I've noticed a huge reduction in slug/snail activity. Wonder if it's due to not watering in the evening???

[ItsEssexRob]

Can I just stab some more holes into my pots base or do they have to be accurately drilled?

[rustylady]

Just make holes Rob

[redser]

I feel like that too sometimes Rob.
'Ok, open seed packet. Scissors? Knife? Fingers? Hmmm, what does the RHS say about it. This is SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!!'

[ItsEssexRob]

Is it normal for troughs and pots in greenhouses/outside to stay moist for several days after a good watering? I keep feeling like I dont need to water them as the soil is still dark and a little sticky to the touch. I am currently only watering anything which has dry soil. each pot/trough I made 4 holes in with a screwdriver about 0.5 cm wide, is that enough? underneath them I see it dripping out and staining wet when I first water so I assume it can drain ok.

[Two_Sheds]

Is it normal for troughs and pots in greenhouses/outside to stay moist for several days after a good watering?

Well, that entirely depends on how hot it is, and how many/what size plants are in them

I keep feeling like I dont need to water them as the soil is still dark and a little sticky to the touch.

You don't

[supermum56]

stick an empty soda bottle with end cut off down near the roots area...water will go straight to where it's needed!!

I noticed a lot of people in here reccommending watering from unerneath as the best method. What do you do if you use grow bags/troughs? can underneath watering only really be achieved in pots? I have 10 sweet pepper plants in big pots and have been watering them over the foilage. same with the troughs and grow bags.

Also if the top of the soil is damp do I not need to water it? I didnt water some at all yesterday despite the constant sun as by the evening the soil on top was still damp from the day before.

Thanks

[Two_Sheds]

^ it's a bit of a waste of time putting pop bottles in a container, but they're great in the open ground

[GardenFaery]

I used watering can, and water the soil and around not the plants, but it does take a while... I use a few of those upside down bottle filters here and there but to be honest I think they're this side of crapola - maybe others have had better experiences with them LOL I think those who have put about pop bottles on their own are probably spot on - the filters are suppose to water it when plant needs it, but prolly better just to use the bottle on it's own, otherwise the soil get t'other side of a gnat's pee in water and when I check on ones with spiky filters, there's still too much water still in bottle?