Is Your Garden getting too Much Water?

Many areas across Colorado have recently been experiencing an increase in rainfall. Rainy days are great for conserving water depending upon how much rainfall your area receives. Your lawn, garden, and your wallet can all benefit from a little bit of precipitation.

Garden plants require different amounts of water depending on their garden location, their soil type, weather conditions, and their growth stage. For best results with garden plants, garden watering needs to be as consistent as possible. If you’re growing your garden plants in pots or containers they will generally require more water. If you are growing your plants in an area such as a greenhouse they will also require more moisture.   What type of soil your plants are growing in can affect how much water they will require. Sandy soils do not hold in moisture, clay soils can potentially hold in too much moisture and cause root rot. In any case, your garden plants will benefit from rich organic matter being introduced into the soil to help balance the amount of water that the soil will hold.

This summer, we have been experiencing an increase in rainfall. Because of the increase in rain, your garden will require less watering. If you continue to water your plants when it is raining, your plants may become afflicted by mold, fungus, or root rot. Overwatering can also cause your garden to become a prime habitat from slugs and snails. Beyond the fact that your plants will suffer from overwatering, you will be wasting precious resources, your state’s water and your money.

To prevent overwatering in your garden observe the soil conditions. Notice the soil color, darker colored soil can indicate wet or damp soil. Lighter brown looking soil can indicate dry soil that requires watering. Another way to tell if your soil is wet or not is to push your forefinger down into the dirt until the dirt comes up to your knuckle. Notice if your finger feels moist or dry. If your finger feels moist then you can hold off on watering.  You can also purchase water meters that you can place into the dirt that will measure the moisture content in the soil. Notice the existing  weather conditions in your area. If it has rained, you most likely won’t need to water. The day after a rainstorm, check the soil conditions for moisture. Don’t just assume that the next day you need to water, the soil may still be holding in moisture.

Overwatering your garden can be devastating to your plants. If you have overwatered you may notice some yellowing and thinning of the leaves of your plants. A plant’s leaves’ falling off is a warning sign for overwatering. Taking a few minutes to observe the condition of your garden can help to prevent overwatering and can keep your plants looking healthy and happy all season.

Contact Designscapes Colorado by email: info@designscapes.org for more information regarding overwatering your garden.