QuestionThis is my first year gardening and I started out small and simple. I have a container garden due to a sloping landscape and limited flat space. I am starting to have multiple problems and have found some answers on here such as adding calcium to my tomato plants and giving my cucumbers more potassium. My problem is that everything seems to indicate that I am possibly over-watering my vegetables. I water them just a 搕ouch?when I get home in the evenings as the sun is going down and I give them a good watering every morning. I do this, because first off, they get full-sun all day long with no shade. But, also every evening when I get home they are all wilted and droopy. So, I feel like I need to give them that 搕ouch?of watering to help perk them back up. It is June and already we are having days of mid 90s. Any suggestions for my droopy plants?
AnswerContainers often need watered daily. Depending on the temperatures and time of year, sometimes you need to water twice. There is nothing wrong with watering in the evening as long as you water the soil and not the leaves. The latter can result in fungus diseases since the water does not evaporate off the leaves after dark.
There is really not much else you can do. You happen to live in a very hot environment. I would continue to water deeply every morning. Water until you see seepage from the drainage hole at the bottom of the container.
You can also purchase a moisture meter at your local garden center. Simply stick the meter into the soil and it will tell you if you need to water. A good rule of thumb is that you only water when the top three inches of soil is dry.
Also, avoid the shallow watering you mentioned. This causes the roots to reach for the surface instead of straight down. Always water deeply. And until the temperatures start moderating, do not over-fertilize. The nitrogen can burn the roots, especially in container plants. Instead, use a water-soluble fertilizer at half the strength every 14 days.
Good luck, and enjoy your weekend.
Regards,
Mike
