Hey everyone! I just started getting into gardening and I'm super confused about how often I should be watering my plants. I've read different things online—some say not to water if the soil is moist 6-8 inches down, while others insist that I should water if the top 2 inches are dry. Can someone help clarify how to water properly? I'm in Zone 8b/9a in South Coastal Georgia and I recently planted hibiscus, azaleas, elephant ears, crepe myrtle, and an Oklahoma redbud tree. They were all planted about 4 weeks ago. Appreciate any tips! ?
3 Answers
When you first plant your plants, it's crucial to water them to help establish their root systems. You need to focus on getting those roots set before worrying about other watering methods. Once you spot new growth above ground, that's a sign your plant is becoming established, and then you can switch to watering methods for established plants. Just remember, for a tree, the establishment phase can take around two years!
As a rule of thumb, try to water your plants with about 1 inch of water each week. That’s usually more than you think! A helpful tip is to place a container on the ground while you water to see exactly how much water your hose puts out over time. If you're growing tomatoes, be sure to give them consistent watering to avoid issues like splitting or end rot. They might even need daily watering in non-self watering containers!
It sounds like you're mixing up some watering techniques! If you have a moisture meter, insert it about 6-12 inches into the soil to check moisture levels where most roots are. But if you don’t have one, just stick your finger a couple of inches in the soil. If it’s dry, that usually means you should water deeper down too!
Yeah, it's true! Once your plants are established, they can thrive better and need different care.