While it’s a straightforward task to water potted plants and hanging baskets, it is important to avoid underwatering or overwatering. This can lead to wilted leaves, root rot and overall decline in the health of plants.
You have to understand plant needs to get an idea of garden watering. Different plants will have different requirements for watering depending on their size, species, stage of growth and environmental conditions. You can research the preferences of the plant to soil, light and water to make sure that you find the right moisture levels. You have to monitor soil moisture consistently so that underwatering or overwatering can be prevented. To check the soil moisture levels, you can use your fingers to gauge it by sticking a finger about an inch into the soil. And if you feel that the soil is dry, you can water it. If the soil feels moist, you can hold off watering. And when the top layer dries out, then you can start to water again. You can choose the right watering tools to make sure that the task is more efficient. There are traditional watering cans that are easy to use. They can allow for precise watering without splashing and you can avoid over-saturating the soil as well. There are also bottle top watering spikes or watering globes that can be used which will allow a slow release of water into the soil ensuring consistent soil moisture.
When you are watering hanging baskets and potted plants,
You need to carry out deep and thorough watering sessions. This has to be done instead of frequent shallow watering. This ensures that the roots develop deep into the soil so that plants are able to withstand periods of drought more effectively. The water has to penetrate the entire root zone and excess water can drain out of the bottom of the pot so that it doesn’t get waterlogged. There are many factors that will affect the watering frequency such as type of plant, soil composition, size of the container and environmental conditions. If there is hot and dry weather or periods of active growth for the plant, it is best to have more frequent watering so that adequate moisture levels can be maintained in the soil. You need to reduce watering during plant dormant periods and cooler weather so that the soil doesn’t become waterlogged.
There are self-watering systems that you can consider
If you have a busy schedule or you tend to travel quite frequently. These systems will ensure that the plants receive consistent moisture even when you are not there. You can look into self-watering pots and planters or even irrigation systems that use wicking mechanisms so that water can be supplied to the plants as needed. Also, automated systems can be installed so that your plants get watered at a certain time of the day. When watering, it is best to water the plants in the morning so that they can absorb moisture before the heat of the daytime causes water to evaporate from the soil. If you water in the evening or at night, there is a risk of fungal diseases developing as this can lead to moisture to stay on foliage for a longer time.
