Over Watering ... but how.... (yard, nursery, leaves, plants)

[marykate1]

Hi,

Some of my plants are turning brown and dying. Maybe it is just the season. But my roses are not blomming and one that were are not dead.

I have 6 stations in my house and I water 10 minutes each station. I water one time every four days.

I took the plants to the nursery and the lady told me that I was over watering. How can be over watering when I only water once in 4 days?

Any clues?

[masonsdaughter]

Plants do not all take the same amounts of water. Either get some books and read up on it or go back to the nursery and ask about how much and how often.

[Yardener]

There are a few other factors here, like how much rain you are getting, the topography of your garden (low spots that collect water), how well your soil drains, as well as the different needs of different plants. You can turn off your system when it rains, or use a rain sensor that does that for you. Group plants together that have similar requirements. Use more native and "proven" plants that can tolerate a lot of conditions. Make sure the plants are not planted too deep. If each plant is planted low, this creates low spots right where you do not want them.

Plant high is what I always say.

[SD snowbird]

I have a degree in horticulture and what I tell people buying potted plants is that you can never overwater a plant by giving it too much water at one time, only by giving it a little water too often. Same goes for plants in the ground. Try watering longer periods less often and see how that goes. Plants only need water when the top 1 1/2-2" of soil is dry. The biggest share of plants want to dry out between watering.

[Luiso]

Originally Posted by SD snowbird

I have a degree in horticulture and what I tell people buying potted plants is that you can never overwater a plant by giving it too much water at one time, only by giving it a little water too often. Same goes for plants in the ground. Try watering longer periods less often and see how that goes. Plants only need water when the top 1 1/2-2" of soil is dry. The biggest share of plants want to dry out between watering.

Great advice . I have made the mistake of watering often alittle and plants begain to get water logged leaves turned brown.

Now I water alot but only once or twice max a week.

[SD snowbird]

The plants that do best in my house are the ones that can go at least 2 weeks without watering. Some can go a month, I REALLY like those. Do have a couple that "whine" if they don't get watered every 5 days like clockwork.
Outside plants are non-existent in my yard because I rent and refuse to leave them to the mercy of the next people.