How often should I be watering the pots on the patio? How about the plants in the ground? I'm praying for some rain but doesn't look like that's going to happen any time soon.
Only you can tell. Apart from the weather , a lot depends on what sort of soil you have, what sort of compost you have in your pots, and what you have growing in both.
Depends what you have in the pots ? Basically, if the plants are wilting in the day time but the soil is damp, they will often recover over night. If the pots are dry and the plants suffering, put the pots in a saucer or similar and water sufficiently to soak the soil. Plants in the ground ? Again, depends what they are and how much you want to keep those which can't cope with the situation. Just keep in mind that you need to water the roots rather than the foliage
Agree Hosta, plus where are you? We used to have 100 pots,a lot of the shrubs are now in the ground. Trying to get fewer, larger pots. I can't remember the last time we had rain. A storm a few weeks ago. I'm 10 minutes away from the sea,bang opposite the South Downs which very often stop the rain. we're on clay so that bakes. We have 6 water butts,most are empty,we have Rhododendrons and azaleas which are 30 years old.... have been berated for watering,they are our babies, have moved house several times with us.2018,no rain for 2 months,we scooped it out of the bath after a shower right down to using a cup. Because of wind from the sea,in hot weather, some stuff needs watering twice a day. It's been way up in the very high 20s,I have 2 green houses which need watering daily.
I'm none the wiser - it would take me hours to list all my plants and the soil varies from area to area, some parts are bit clay(y) others are not. I've been doing the pots every other day or if I see the soil shrinking away from the side of the pot inside. Everywhere just looks so DRY - I bought another hose reel for the rockery round the front, saves me dragging back & forth. Got a fantastic 'wand' - the gun is at the end of an elongated handle - it's brilliant for getting right down to the roots.
Wahay it’s been raining here in the West Cotswolds of glos ! in the dry spell I’ve been watering pots every other evening, and a couple times a week for newly planted flowers/shrubs in the garden. Everyday for hanging baskets. however I realised it just wasn’t enough so grudgingly got the hose out last night ... so I am responsible for the rain 😉😁
@ren.b I divide my garden up so I concentrate on just one area. I make a quick mental note of plants that I will not water in that area. I water new plants and others that I really should not grow because when it gets dry I have to water myself! Watering can only, straight at the roots.
I have just two plants that I do water in my front garden which is south facing and has lots of grit added to soil. Helianthus Lemon Queen and a new Pittisporum, the rest is fine at present and these plants will have to except whatever happens. They are mulched early spring never fed.
When I worked as a gardener I sometimes spent most of my day watering pots. I only have three pots, a tomato, box and a Rubus that tumbles down a tall pot. You see Iv'e retired.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
You can get a multi test meter very cheaply. Push the probe(s) well in. Pots often look dry on top but are moist or even wet underneath. I know some say just push your finger in but in an established pot this often isn't possible. Generally water every other day. If you have mulched your beds well in spring then once or twice a week should be enough but again test before you waste time and water.
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Apart from the weather , a lot depends on what sort of soil you have, what sort of compost you have in your pots, and what you have growing in both.
Plants in the ground ? Again, depends what they are and how much you want to keep those which can't cope with the situation.
Just keep in mind that you need to water the roots rather than the foliage
in the dry spell I’ve been watering pots every other evening, and a couple times a week for newly planted flowers/shrubs in the garden. Everyday for hanging baskets.
however I realised it just wasn’t enough so grudgingly got the hose out last night ... so I am responsible for the rain 😉😁
I have just two plants that I do water in my front garden which is south facing and has lots of grit added to soil. Helianthus Lemon Queen and a new Pittisporum, the rest is fine at present and these plants will have to except whatever happens. They are mulched early spring never fed.
When I worked as a gardener I sometimes spent most of my day watering pots. I only have three pots, a tomato, box and a Rubus that tumbles down a tall pot. You see Iv'e retired.