How do I know I’m overwatering?

Discussion in 'NEW Gardeners !' started by HackettLad, Jun 17, 2022.

  1. JR

    JR Chilled Gardener

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    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.
     
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    • Jocko

      Jocko Guided by my better half.

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      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.
       
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      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.
       
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      • infradig

        infradig Gardener

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        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.
         
      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        I agree but instead of lifting the chain, can be a bit high for me :noidea:, I find it less effort to put my hand underneath the basket and test its weight by lifting from the bottom. :blue thumb:

        to be fair, I'm usually too lazy to bother checking and just water the baskets once or twice a day (depending on weather) when I water all the pots on the patio. Of course, when I say 'I water all the pots' I really mean 'when Mrs Shiney waters all the pots' :whistle:

        It doesn't really matter with our baskets as the excess water just drains out.
         
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        • JR

          JR Chilled Gardener

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          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 ;)
           
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          • HackettLad

            HackettLad Apprentice Gardener

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            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!
             

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          • HackettLad

            HackettLad Apprentice Gardener

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            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.
             
          • Jocko

            Jocko Guided by my better half.

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          • Black Dog

            Black Dog Gardener of useful things

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

            Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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            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)
             
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