Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: lottienewbie on June 02, 2009, 15:59

Title: water or not to water this is the question????
Post by: lottienewbie on June 02, 2009, 15:59
Hi ya all,
            We are a bit confused at the moment as we get different advice from different people on our plot and wondered if you guys could help please,
             We have a few beds of new pots, but do we need to keep them watered or not,some say that water is needed to help the tubers swell,some say there is enough water in the ground  to keep them going.
         So if any one could shed some light on this please we would be most appreciative.
         Kind regards Neil and family.
Title: Re: water or not to water this is the question????
Post by: Lardman on June 02, 2009, 16:17
You'll get differing advise from in here too  :D

If you can't tell by looking at the plant if it wants water the best thing to do is scrape back the soil an inch or so - if its bone dry, water. If its damp don't bother.

I watered my spuds yesterday much to the disgust of T.O.B.N.D.  but the plants were wilting and the leaves curling.  I gave them a good soaking (15/20 mins with the hose) and they're much happier today.
Title: Re: water or not to water this is the question????
Post by: lottienewbie on June 02, 2009, 16:26
many thanks lardman,will take your advice on board.

regards Neil
Title: Re: water or not to water this is the question????
Post by: green fingers on June 04, 2009, 16:42
Lardman who'se T.O.B.N.D??  think I must be thick. :blink:

I am now becoming verrrrry neurotic about watering because of all the different views on the forum. 

Ignorance is bliss as last year I hapily watered away
Title: Re: water or not to water this is the question????
Post by: Elcie on June 04, 2009, 17:31
Quote from: green fingers on June 04, 2009, 16:42
Lardman who'se T.O.B.N.D??  think I must be thick. :blink:

I am now becoming verrrrry neurotic about watering because of all the different views on the forum. 

Ignorance is bliss as last year I hapily watered away

Think it is 'the old boy next door'.

I'm never sure about watering so just do what I think is right
Title: Re: water or not to water this is the question????
Post by: Goosegirl on June 04, 2009, 17:47
If you  have raised beds, especially wooden-sided ones, it is surprising how quickly they dry out. Also, gritty, sandy soils and un-mulched ones too. Stick your fingers well down into the soil and see - you not only need water to swell pot tubers but to keep the plants happy and any surface roots happy too. My OH has been banging on at me to water more and also my F-I-Law too so I have and it seems to be working (at least there's been no more complaints!). A good drenching is better than a surface sprinkling which encouraged roots to go towards the surface - see how much water has penetrated after half an hour and that might give you some idea.