I asked over on the beginner vegetable forum and didn't get much help, but I'm looking for a list or chart or something (someone) that tells me which veggies are more water mongers and which can stand to be a little dry from time to time. I don't want to over water, but I don't want to dehydrate the poor things either. I do have & use a water meter which tells me dry/moist/wet and that's been helpful, but I just want to make sure I'm watering them properly. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Stephanie
Watering Needs for Various Plants?
I think you are going right by using a moisture meter. Here is some things I have noticed. If your plants are in different types of grow mix, it can make a big difference in the amount of water each grow mix holds and that is one variable where a moisture meter is a great help. The age and size of a plant is another variable. The larger the plant, the more water it uses, especially large leafed plants. Smaller leafed plants generally use less water. Mature plants usually have a larger root system and drink more water. Weather is another variable. Here in Texas, the wind is about as big a factor as the strong sunshine. Big leafy plants like tomato's use a lot more water on a hot windy day. Different weather on subsequent days can require a different amount of water. Considering these variables, I prefer to make good use of the moisture meter rather than trying to figure out how to water by type of plant. I have learned to appreciate a fast draining grow mix that almost wont allow you to overwater and then water more frequently. It really helps to have everything growing in the same grow mix. That eliminates one of the variables and simplifies watering.
In the stacked container system I am using, all plants get the same amount of water, regardless of the type of plant. If you notice in the attached photo, water goes in the top of a container stack and drains down thru all the pots and out of the bottom pot. All plants, vegetables and flowers mixed, get the same amount of water. With a fast draining grow mix that still allows the plants to get some oxygen when wet, all these plants grow very well. I even have dusty miller (a plant that supposedly likes "dry growing conditions") and petunia growing in the same stack. Plants that "do not like wet feet" can grow in the same stack with plants that "prefer dry conditions" and do equally well providing the grow mix can give them moisture and oxygen.
This message was edited Apr 24, 2009 11:35 PM
This message was edited Apr 24, 2009 11:37 PM
Here is the petunia's and dusty miller growing happily together and getting exactly the same amount of water each day.
Have a look at
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/waterrequirements.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_12180_water-vegetables.html
www.drought.wsu.edu/pdf/EM4830.pdf
Taken together they may be a help
Pat George
Thank you for the links. Using my meter, I've only had to water every other day so far. I did notice that if the watermelon vines are laying on the ground, they perk up after watering! LOL We've been having such strange weather the past week with high winds, warm days, cloudy days, full sunshine, and humidity it's been hard for me to figure it all out. Now, we're getting a bit of a shower, with more rain heading our way.
There's so much variability that I've not been able to predict a schedule, regardless of plant type. Attentiveness is essential in climes that get really hot with a lot of sun load. If the plant looks OK and the soil feels a little moist or wetter, I let it be. Otherwise, time to give 'em a drink.
We've found that heavy mulcching kinda reduces the fluctuation in how fast the soil dries. Raised beds are also a good thing in this regard.
Frank