How do I know I’m overwatering?

Don't know about you guys but I'm getting caught out a bit by the recent trend to sell only peat free compost.
I've looked at some of my hanging baskets for instance and the surface compost has been bone dry. So off I go watering and it starts gushing out the bottom. Seems like although the surface drys rapidly there is a bit more retention throughout the mix.
I'm having to be a bit more cautious.. I dread the stuff drying out, but perhaps it'll rehydrate easier than the peat based stuff. The jury is out.

 

I think the problem with peat-free compost is it doesn't absorb the water. The top looks dry so you water it and the water comes out the bottom - missing the compost altogether.

 

I tend to think its mostly the other way round, peat compost once dry is very difficult to rewet, peat itself seems waxy.
I find the peat free stuff can actually remain soggy for a long time.

But then with the variations in compost these days its all hit and miss and down to checking properly before watering.

 

Best guide to a basket is to 'weigh' it by lifting the hanging chain. Also if its got sulphinia/petunias, they look sad when under watered or under fed.

 

Yes, that's probably wise. Better too much than too little for hanging baskets this time of the year. When I plant up my Autumn viola baskets I'm going to prepare one of them with home made compost for the first time ever. I'll have to decide if I'm gonna sterilise it first, but that's a different subject

 

Hello friends! Thank you for all your help. I think I have got the overwatering situation under control. But can you check the photo of my lavender now? Am I not watering it enough? It seems a little parched judging from the some of the greyish flowers. Shouldn’t they all be a more vibrant blue? This watering balance is not easy!

 

Help friends! Thank you for all your help. I think I have got the overwatering situation under control. But can you check the photo of my lavender now? Am I not watering it enough? It seems a little patched judging from the grey flowers.

 

Looks healthy to me.

 

Looks good to me too.
Wouldn't overdo it. Especially with a hardy plant like lavender

 

I think the slightly greyer flower spikes (like the one bottom right of the photo) are actually finished flower heads. Lavender is normally photographed in the first flush of flowers, but the spent flower spikes can remain for many months, looking greyer, but still lovely (especially with an autumn haw-frost in early morning light)