Need definition of "average water needs" in PlantFiles

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gr8adventure Pearland, TX Jun 19, 2010

I am an absolute novice gardener. I planned the layout of my walled garden plants (in 6" raised beds with 4" of flowerbed soil over substrate of 4-6" of sand) using DG plant files info. I understand "moist", "drought-tolerant", and "xeriscape".

What puzzles me is "average water needs, do not overwater". I need some quantitative or descriptive definition.

I live in hot and humid area south of Houston TX (Pearland). Does "average water" mean something like "water until soil is moist 2 inches below the surface, then allow soil to be dry for two days before watering again"???????

Spring was sloppy-wet and cold here for us, so we didn't get started planting until mid-April. Then it started getting HOT and DRY. In my concern about getting enuf water to new plants to get them "established", I may have over-watered (plants were not flourishing after a month, and leaves on many looked yellowish). So I stopped watering for about 5 days. Some plants now have greener leaves, but others now have yellowish leaves, OR they have bronzey-red-looking leaves, so I assume they are now thirsty, OR they are getting TOO MUCH sun.

Feel free to have a good laugh at my expense (I am, as I type this), but I need some guidance!! Thanks for your time!

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flowAjen central, NJ(Zone 6b) Jun 19, 2010

Sounds like the same weather we had and have up here.
Perfectly understandable question.
Newly planted flowers need water every day but not a ton, if water starts to puddle it's too much.
Once established to check the soil -stick your finger in the soil next to the plant down about an inch and a ½, if soil is dry it needs water

Too much sun or shade is easier to figure, only certain plants can take full sun or full shade, etc.

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gr8adventure Pearland, TX Jun 20, 2010

Thanks for your suggestion--I feel much better now, and I'm sure my plants will, too!
--gr8adventure

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