Watering veg in containers

[rustylady]

Main thing is not to put your plants into too big a pot - if you do the roots just can't cope with a huge amount of wet compost and tend to rot. I usually water by standing small pots or trays in a large tray of water and leaving them to take up what they need. Also, as you get more experienced you will be able to tell by the weight of the pot whether or not it needs watering - this is what I do. Obviously no good for tomatoes in 10" pots, but by that time they should be well established. It's the seedlings and young plants that really suffer from under or over watering.

[LaurenGrows]

Ooops, off to sign up to *Over Waterers Anonymous* to learn to dry up

[Two_Sheds]

Ensure good drainage (I inherited some container plants that had NO drainage holes at all - yes, they were dead)
also try if you can to put saucers (old dinner plates, cheap picnic plates) under all your pots so as not to waste water.

[CADS]

Thanks everyone. My knickers aren't so twisted now, feel more comfortable.

I keep seeing the word 'crocks' but have no idea what it means, please can someone enlighten me?

Someone, suggested placing an empty bottle/tube along side the plants to water into. Will this work? I'm wondering if it will only water one side of the pot and leave the other side dry?

CADS

[Geo]

Thanks everyone. My knickers aren't so twisted now, feel more comfortable.

I keep seeing the word 'crocks' but have no idea what it means, please can someone enlighten me?

Someone, suggested placing an empty bottle/tube along side the plants to water into. Will this work? I'm wondering if it will only water one side of the pot and leave the other side dry?

CADS

Geo..

[CADS]

I think I'll give them a miss then

[lyndap]

You wouldn't have any crops left with those crocs!!!!.OK,serious now,crocks are brocken bits of pots you put in bottom of your container,to help with drainage.I also use old bits of bricks,or gravel,or rocks if thats all I have available.

[CADS]

Thanks, Lyndap. I have some gravel which I will use in future.

I have now drilled more holes in the bottom and around the bottom edge of my 14" pots and put tubes (with holes down the sides) along side the plants. Also, I brought a moist meter from Homebase.

My "Over Waterers Anonymous" recovering program has began.

[Paulottie]

Glad you could share CADS! I had a relapse yesterday and completely overwet some just planted sweetcorn pots. dug them all out b4 rotting and mixed some dry compost in and repotted. Waste of an hour-but i hope i saved a pkt of seeds

[CADS]

I haven't repotted mine, Paulottie. But now I'm wondering whether I should. My moisture meter reading is still going off the dial passed the wettest reading, despite not having watered them for 4 days. They in 14" pots. The smallest plant is 18" and the largest is 2 foot so won't be easy. What does everyone suggest? Should I repot or risk it?