How to Water Plants

Water is every plant's essential element for growth. Plants require water to transport nutrients from the environment to its various parts, to regulate its temperature and to provide the rigidity to stand upright. Watering plants, therefore, requires knowledge of how, when and how much watering is performed. Here are tips on how to water your plants wisely.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water
• Garden hose
• Watering can
• A little research

1. Know your plant's natural needs. Perennials, climbers and young shrubs require plenty of water. Newly planted trees need to be watered daily for a couple of weeks. Leafy vegetables and fruiting crops require extra amounts of water to flourish and deliver their bounty.

2. Know your plant's native habitat. Plants that are native to rainforests will appreciate constant watering and high humidity. Plants that come from the desert don't want to be soaked. Orchids that thrive in airy, open conditions want to be watered only after their roots have completely dried.

3. Consider your plant's location. Container plants, especially those in clay pots dry out quickly--water them more frequently. Check the plants that are situated in sloping terrain or free-draining sandy soil because water flows off faster than their roots can absorb what's needed. Plants in windy areas will also need to replenish the water they lose from transpiration and evaporation.

4. Check the soil by poking your finger into it. If the top inch or two of the soil feels dry, it's time to water. Another way to check if a container plant is thirsty: try lifting the pot--if it's light, the soil is relatively dry.

5. Check the weather. Water more frequently during hot weather, and less during cold times.

6. Water at the right time of day. The best times to water plants is early in the morning or in the evening. Watering at midday wastes water to evaporation. And watering under the heat of the noonday sun will "boil" tender leaves and flowers.

7. Water to reach the plant's vital deep-set roots. Watering too little too often leads to malnourished and unstable plants. For container plants, water until it flows out of the drainage hole under the pot (remember to remove standing water within an hour after watering).

8. Water with tender loving care. Hosing with a strong stream will harm leaves and flowers and even uproot delicate plants. Use longneck watering cans to water containers, especially hanging plants.

9. Consider watering gadgets like drip hoses, sprinklers and timers, to help you manage watering lawns and large garden areas.

Tips & Warnings

• Know which plants have delicate watering requirements. For example, African Violets don't want water on their leaves; and orchids and cacti need to dry out completely before the next watering.

Resources

• Clemson Extension: Home and Garden Information Center: Indoor Plants-Watering
• WSU Extension: Watering Home Gardens and Landscape Plants

[MyJB]

on 8/22/2009 I like your #6 tip as I never know when to water a plant. I just did it whenever, but now I will water in the morning. 5*

[my1212]

on 8/22/2009 great tips thanks!

[AnneZ]

on 8/22/2009 I love watering! 5*s