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Help for a newbie Gardner
Hi there I’ve just started to get into gardening. Which I really enjoy I just need some advice on watering once I have well draining soil how many times should I be watering my new plants In the soil once planted is it every day or every other. I checked the soil this morning and it’s still moist done to my knuckle on finger I done the finger test have not watered them for 2 days now is that ok or should I still be watering them. Many thanks
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What sort of plants are you talking about ?
Generally the idea is to give them a good soak when you plant them, so the water "puddles" around them and then slowly soaks away, and then similar once a week. Obviously if the weather is very hot, you'd do it more often.
You want to encourage the roots to go down to search for moisture, if you water too often they will just stay near the surface and the plants won't get established.
Experience - which of course comes with time - is how you'll get the hang of it.
If the soil looks moist and the plants look happy they don't need water.
If you notice leaves drooping that's probably because they need water, but sometimes the leaves will droop just because it's been a hot day, but either way you can give them a water.
Always best to give plants a thorough watering once a week than a light sprinkle every day.
If you water every day, the roots won't bother going deep into the soil for moisture and nutrients - this makes for weak plants.
If you water just once a week, the roots have to go deeper to get moisture where the ground in naturally wetter and you'll have stronger plants
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.