If I could sum up all the stories I have heard about watering woes into one word I would say it is FRUSTRATION!

I am frequently asked the question “How often do I water my plants? (or lawn, trees, houseplants, etc..)” That is a very good question! The answer is not as straightforward as you would think. I know that most people just want to hear an answer like “Water your lawn twice a week for 15 minutes”. And if that were the best answer, that is the one I would give! However, there are many variable factors that go into an intelligent answer. The first thing I ask is “Do you own a moisture meter?” I ask that first because this little instrument is invaluable at helping with the watering dilemma.

It cuts straight through the drama and gets to the facts.

If your plants are thriving it is because the right amount of water, sun, and nutrients are available to it in a healthy soil. If your plants are dying one of the first questions you should ask yourself is “Am I watering enough?” or “Have I overwatered?”

Now I know that this seems obvious, and right now you are telling yourself that there is no way you under or overwatered. Only an idiot would not recognize that. But, its funny how many times I thought for sure I watered enough, then, after watering, I got out my moisture meter and checked the moisture level in the root ball of a plant, only for it to read dry. Really? I stood there for a whole two minutes with the hose! How can it be dry?

The moisture meter is an unbiased, unemotional tool. It is just the facts and nothing but the facts. You cant argue with it, but you can begin to investigate.

If you feel like you have watered enough and the root ball is still dry maybe the soil in the rootball and the surrounding soil are of a different composition. The planting mix the plant was grown in may be difficult to wet after it becomes completely dried out. the water may be running off- not sinking in. In which case the plant needs a long slow drink.

Or maybe the answer is that you live in an area with sandy soil and the water is draining through so fast it is not sticking around long enough to give the plants what they need.

I have heard story after story of watering woes. People really want the answer on this one because they have invested in landscaping or that really special plant, and they are motivated to be successful with it.

Go get a moisture meter (they cost around ten dollars at a nursery or hardware store) and begin checking the plants in your landscape. Put the probe into the root ball- not the surrounding soil. If the moisture level is low and it is a high water plant- then you know what to do.

Water your plants until the moisture meter says wet, then check it the next day and the day after that. Read the meter each day and make note of whether the plant is wet or moist or dry.(However, do not leave the moisture meter in the ground or in the pot, that ruins it) Check your plants with it and then store it in a dry location. Adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

After recording your outcomes for a short time you should be able to set your timer accurately for each zone, and know the correct answer to the watering question at your house. You will have invested time in your landscape, and really begun to understand it.  No matter what your watering scenario this method should be helpful. Let me know if there is another method out there that has worked better for any of you. Lets learn and grow together!