I just Gotta Tell Ya:
- The number #1 killer of plants is over watering
- It is easier to bring back a dying plant from underwatering than overwatering.
- Over watered plants create an environment that is favorable to diseases.
- A plant suffering from overwatering may appear to actually need water. The leaves or stems will wiltand turn yellow, sometimes dropping off. Someone seeing this might believe that the plant needs water and add to the problem. But once again, feeling the soil is the best way to avoid this.
- When in doubt: Soil + dry = water. Soil + wet = don’t water.
As I walk, I can’t help but notice the major amount of over-watering that goes on. This is not brain surgery, you walk out your house, LOOK, and if you see water signs like the below pics, you are overwatering.
How often does it happen? 1 Mile= 3 Houses watering after 7:30 a.m. Plus the streets were soaked. There is not one house that has a decent watering system in that mile walk. NOT ONE of the 100 houses that I pass that does not leak water into the street.
Something to think about: Is watering of cement the best way to utilize our precious natural resource of water? Think about it.
Watering after 7:30 am Over-watering leads to trash in storm drains.
Watering after 7 as well as poor watering system
These plants need very little water and yet there was an inch of water on the ground.
This is useful in calling attention to the problem. But I don’t find it very helpful for coping with it.
(1) Never over- or underwatering of houseplants seems gentle on the life of plants. I don’t think it’s too anthropomorphic to suggest that, while underwatering might be better environmentally on the scale, this must play havoc with a plant’s existence! Yes, I know the author isn’t suggesting this as a ongoing strategy; I’m just raising the issue because we’re usually told in gardening advice that it’s better not to water at all than to underwater.
(2) My own experience says that, again with houseplants, it’s not until I see that water draining from the plant’s bottom that I know I’ve overwatered. This experience for me extends to a garden area where I’m able to see actual drainage, as in the posted pics.
(3) Garden areas where I can’t watch actual drainage are harder to deal with. Even with a moderate drip or soaker hose, the absorbency rate varies. Most times, I don’t continue to stand outside watching while I’m letting such systems water.
I’d like to see better links that address some of these issues.