To water a pot or not?

[andrewo]

Mentioned this tip in response to a blueberry bush query but it does work with any pots, especially terracota and clay. We all have problems with knowing when and how much to water pots - I always leave a 2" gap between soil level and pot ridge, to act as a mini reservoir that I fill but it doesn't tell you if they really need watering.

A tip I picked up, to stop you from having to stoop down and stick a finger in each pot is to attach a sewing thread reel to the end of a 3' piece of cane and then tap the pot, if it makes a dull hollow sound, it needs watering. Saves the back I can tell you!!!

[Alice]

I have a Rapitest water meter. You just stick it into the compost and it shows you a reading between dry and wet (it's like the Ph meter readers). I think it cost me abour £7.99 but it's saved many a poor pot from a drowning it didn't need. I wouldn't be without it.

[nick the grief]

doesn't work if the pot has a crack in it though

[andrewo]

Well, you're just asking for drought problems with a cracked pot or is the pot taking after the owner?

[Benacre]

I repair all my Terracota pots with Teracotta Milliput It is a modelling Clay and is very very hard once mixed. It comes in two cigar shaped lengths and you mix the two together.
I soak my Pots in water until they daken then fill and water in the same way as plastic ones.

Benacre