[tallgingerbloke]

Simple question, I have just started on an allotment, cleared it and now planting furiously to get something this year. I have only just got my shed up which is my only source of water and during this dry period.....I've run out.
How much water should I be putting on each plant and how long can they survive without any? I am going to have to take some down with me each day I suppose

Bit of a vague question I know but that's how I feel

Cheers

[Casey76]

You have no running water at all on your site?  Wow, that's harsh!

I grow in my garden and check twice a day.  As a lot of my toms are in pots I'm watering twice a day.  The raised beds get a saoking about every 2 days (depending on the weather and turgidity of the leaves)  I've only just planted in the ground, and everything got a good soaking the day they went in (Saturday).  I'll have to see whay they look like tonight.

WRT your plot, do you have access to a van/trailer, and perhaps take a couple of 50/100L barrels up.  It would save ferrying smaller amounts around more often.

[barney rubble]

Hello and welcome - vague reply too, but a little sprinkling will only tickle the surface, not the roots that need the water. A decent dousing is probably whats needed in the present heat, but not easy in the circumstances you descibe.  

Maybe plan to store more water if you can. Offers of blue barrels come up on the swap & recycle forum, for extra water storage, or if you can afford, more bought in water butts and a bit of guttering for your shed for when it rains - but guess you've already thought of this.

Good luck whatever you do, and hope your arms don't ache too much!

[lucywil]

i water when i initially plant stuff but once things are established i dont tend to bother, except my squashes, they get 2 litres everyday unless it has rained then i dont bother.

[peapod]

If its really bone dry then I water. Im careful to make sure my spuds, corguettes and swede dont suffer

Its recommended to give them a good soaking once a week in weather like weve been having, better than a surface sprinkle every day.  I dont water my carrots or snips at all

[Bombers]

Don't forget to water your beans every couple of days in this hot weather too! 

[Ropster]

I think appart from seedlings and pots, things once established should be able to cope

However it is 30+ degrees outside with no rain for a while so I might relent and give everything a soaking

[Salmo]

Water late evening so that it soaks in overnight. Most crops will find enough water so concentrate on newly planted things giving them a soak. Sprinkling over a large area may look good at the time but helps the plants very little.

When it has rained, or after you have watered, put mulches around your crops. Compost, grass clippings, mushroom compost. Hoe the ground lightly between the rows to establish a dust mulch.

[tallgingerbloke]

thanks guys, guess I'll do my Aquarius thing, or perhaps a milk maid thing, thanks for the pointers