- One of the most common causes of plant death is overwatering. Sometimes it's possible to love a plant too much by giving it too much water, which can cause root rot, fungal diseases or other problems that can threaten its existence. Most plants prefer that their soil dries somewhat between waterings. Other plants thrive in a constantly moist environment: examples include rice, taro and some orchids.
- With the exception of cactus, water your houseplants about once each week. Even in the winter months, when it is cooler and plants might take longer to dry out, low humidity caused by heating can quickly dry out the soil in which a plant lives. The best way to make sure your plant needs water is to poke your finger into the soil about 1 inch down. If your finger comes out damp, don't water that day. Check again in 1 or 2 days and add water when the soil has dried more. When you do add water, be sure to add enough so that some drains out into the saucer. However, don't allow the plant to drown in a saucer full of water---if the plant doesn't absorb the extra water within 1 day, it's best to pour it out.
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It's great to grow your own tomatoes, peppers, green beans and other veggies in the summer months. Nothing tastes better than fresh-from-the-garden produce. Depending on the daytime temperatures, most vegetable plants in the ground need water one or two times each week. Some, like tomatoes, prefer to dry out and respond well to deep watering when they are almost beginning to wilt. Too much water and irregular watering can cause tomatoes to crack.
A drip watering system is a good way to apply water to the root zone of your favorite veggies. According to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, depending on the rate of your emitters, run it as follows: 1 day per week during the winter if it does not rain; 2 days per week during spring and fall; 3 days per week in summer. With high-flow emitters (up to 20 gallons per hour), run your drip system for about 12 minutes each time. With very low-flow emitters, increase this time (for example, 90 minutes for 1 gallon per hour emitters). In very hot, dry weather, run it more often. - Established trees do not need water as often as smaller plants. If you live in a climate that receives very little summer rain, deeply water your large trees every 3 to 4 weeks. If they appear to be drooping, water more frequently. When fruit is forming on trees, water more often in order to plump up the developing peaches, apples and other fruit for the sweetness the water will provide.
- Small potted plants need more frequent water than larger plants. If you have 3 or 4 inch pots with little herbs in them, for example, and if they live in the hot sun, you might need to water them every day, especially as their roots grow to fill the pot. For larger potted plants that live outdoors, such as chrysanthemums, pansies and other herbs and bulbs, watering once each week should suffice. In extremely hot weather, give them a drink twice each week.
