How often do I water

frankSFG 5/27/2016, 3:09 pm

I'm a newbie and am wondering...once the seeds have sprouted, how often do I water? I've been watering every morning. Not too much water but not too lightly either. How do I know how much to water. I am planting Kale, Spinach, Carrots, Tomatoes, cucumbers. Please help.

Thanks,

frank

countrynaturals 5/27/2016, 3:55 pm

I'm in Redding, CA, where it's so dry I have to water small plants twice a day and larger plants and containers once a day. Recently planted trees we water every other day and well-established fruit trees twice a week. The key for us is mulch, Mulch, MULCH! Cool

**sanderson** 5/27/2016, 4:05 pm

One of the best ways to tell if the beds are being watered enough, is literally to stick your finger down into the Mix. If it's soggy, too much water. If you really have to poke deep to find wet mix, not enough watering. One of the best aids is to cover the beds with mulch to slow surface evaporation. Check the Search box for threads on mulch. My summers get into the 100*F+ Without the chopped bedding straw, I would waste quite a lot of water. I'm on water meters with restricted amounts and days.

frankSFG 5/27/2016, 4:07 pm

Thanks for the reminder, almost forgot about the mulching part.

frankSFG 5/27/2016, 4:08 pm

I poke my finger in and it's moist. Could you be specific about what you mean about soggy?

**sanderson** 5/27/2016, 4:20 pm

Soggy like after a day of rain before excess water has had a chance to drain. Sometimes stinky at the bottom because it's gone a little anaerobic/septic. All of my beds are elevated on legs so I can see how much drainage is coming out the holes. Once you have the mulch down, and water for a couple days with a hose wand, you will get a better idea. The surface under the mulch should be cool and dampish. Even deeper, moist. Tomatoes are heavy drinkers so they can be the canary in the coal mine for maximum watering. Other plants have smaller or more shallow root systems and will droop if they need more water. Don't worry, you just need a little time to get the feeling of watering.

Adding shade cloth can be a big help when it gets scorching hot. Check out the Northern Cal thread for surviving in the heat waves.

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How often do I water

How often do I water

Re: How often do I water

Re: How often do I water

I'm in the desert southwest.

thanks sanderson

Re: How often do I water

Re: How often do I water


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