Help! My containers are drying out!

The jugs on my porch do not get snowed on and the soil looks dry. I pressed the seeds onto the damp soil mix when I made up the containers, so I'm afraid if I water them overhead, it will disturb the seeds. It would be a LOT of work to put each jug in a large bowl filled with water (so the water could be absorbed by the soil without overhead watering). I suppose I could do it if I had to, but is there an easier, yet just as effective, way? Tamara

Just toss some snow in, and as it melts, it waters as needed.
I've also found that my WS containers look dried out when they're frozen solid, but when it warms they're moist again. Weird.

Steven

Tamara,

with the warm up we had (40°+ for 3 days) mine defrosted and some were drying... I did like Steven said... I added a bit of snow, and it melted.

I've also seen folks use spray bottles to mist them.... which is what i'll do next time.... though it's snowing here now, and i'm sure it's a day or less away from you.

Terese

If your containers are frozen then they have sufficient moisture to allow them to freeze. If the containers are not frozen, soil looks lighter and they don't feel as heavy, then I would add additional moisture. It's better to water each container if need be, then to have dried out soil.

Tamara: I think Shirley's right, the containers are probably frozen. I don't know where you are in Ohio but here in Cincinnati mine have been frozen for weeks. If that's the case they shouldn't need more moisture.

Karen

Thanks everyone for reassuring me! This is my first year WS, so I'm afraid I'm going to mess it up somehow. I can't wait until the spring so I can see the fruits of my labor! Tamara

Your Welcome :) This is my first year also. I check my containers everyday to see if there's anything...Spring is getting close!

Steven

This message was edited Feb 25, 2007 12:10 PM

If containers become dry, you can put them in a deep container with water. I have heard of people keeping children's wading pools on hand just for this problem. Mine are on the patio and get a fine spray from the sprinkler system three times a week. With the warm days we have had the last couple of weeks they need this added moisture.

Gabriell, great minds think alike! ;-) That's what I had decided to do. My kids pool is in the basement and by the time it's warm enough for them to use it, the plants will be big enough to overhead water. Tamara

I am wondering now what happens once you start having seedlings sprouting...I have some that are sprouting, and have their first set of leaves...do I need to do something else as they mature? LOL I guess I need to go back and read the WS thread again to find out the procedure for maturing the plants....I am so excited I have sprouts at this time, but I don't want to mess up and forget to do something that will make a difference in whether they become plants or not...you know what I mean!

I think you had better do that reading. I wouldn't take the covers off until they are up more, not knowing your climate I am afraid to say much. Right now mine are under so much snow I can't even see them.

JanetS: Do tell!! What's sprouting? Just keep your container's soil moist.

If for example your Poppies have sprouted, you can start planting them out in your garden. Any plant with a long tap root, like Poppies, transplants best when they get their first set of true leaves and are still small.

Annie from Annie's Annuals was on Gardening by the Yard this morning and she gave some tips on growing poppies. Here's an excerpt:
"Transplanting poppies is a little different. Choose seedlings that have their first set of true leaves but are still quite small. Gently lift the seedlings apart, being careful not to damage the roots. Then poke a hole about the size of a root ball in the soil. Gently place the seedling in the hole, holding the leaves above the soil surface. Make sure the stem is completely covered up to the first set of leaves, to anchor the seedling and maximize contact with the soil." hth, Tamara

Good to know! Thanks for the poppy advice. I do have poppies coming in...they are in peat pots, but lots in each pot...LOL So I will see if they have their first true leave yet...may just have that first little set of leaves...lol

I'm just being brutal with mine. I figure it's winter sowing after all. Mine looked dry so I hosed them down. I figure they'd get rained on in the real world. Some of the little seedlings got battered, but stood back up the next day. We'll see if it hurts the ungerminated seeds. Probably never know. lol

I doubt it hurt anything...they have to have water!!