[Dopey113]

A lot of people are saying after they have planted they dont water anything, is that possible, will roots then go deeper to seek out water< and i thought (looking at post on here) things like carrots, aubergines, courgettes, need lots of water, so im a little confused 

[arugula]

will roots then go deeper to seek out water<

Yes.

[DD.]

Carrots do not need a lot of water.

Give them too much, the roots will quite happily stay near the soil's surface. You'll find that most veg need less than is commonly perceived.

[New shoot]

Really does depend what your soil is like.  I'm on clay and have dug masses of compost into the soil over the years, so I water in and water a couple of times until things are established and that's it unless they really need it 

[JayG]

Agree with New Shoot - my soil is sandy and even with compost incorporated it dries out quickly and to a considerable depth. 

[mumofstig]

unless we do get more rain than last year, it will be difficult here as well - it was bad enough last year cos at least we could use the hose occasionally.

The garden soil is quite heavy, but my plot is sandy like Jay's - so I'm trying to out the things that do need regular watering (like salads) in the garden beds.

[mattwragg94]

i also agree with newshoots advise - thats what i do anyway!

[gazza975526570]

at my plot i need very very little water.

A sprinkling as any new seeds are sown and only when its very dry do i tend to then rewater any seedlings.

Rhubarb and potatoes get the odd glug but in the main i water very little.

[Dopey113]

OK I will give it a try, so as long as it had some moisture (I have a probe things you stick in the ground tells you if its wet or dry) I will leave it alone

[Runwell-Steve]

Apart from watering in some seeds, and watering in the plants I transferred out to the plot I did no other watering on the plot last year as I didn't have time.

None of my veg suffered as a result, everything managed to find enough water to grow.

I don't have the plot any more, but just a small patch in the back garden but I don't intend to water that much, even though I have lots of full waterbutts and no hosepipe ban.

[Dopey113]

It seems then most over water, surely if you do that it will just wash nutrients further down so the roots cant get the benefit from them anyway???

[Springlands]

Does not work like that - if you water too much the plants just get lazy and do not put down proper roots. Also with some plants (including tomatoes) if you over water it affects the flavour. 

[mattwragg94]

Does not work like that - if you water too much the plants just get lazy and do not put down proper roots. Also with some plants (including tomatoes) if you over water it affects the flavour. 

but if you dont give them enough water they split! 

[arugula]

Does not work like that - if you water too much the plants just get lazy and do not put down proper roots.

Thank you Springlands, I think my reply #1 might have been too concise.

They split when you do water them after a dry spell, Matt, as the skin is already set and cannot cope withe the swelling flesh 

[JayG]

Deep-rooted crops like parsnips (possibly a couple of feet) are obviously better placed to find water than lettuces (probably 6" max) and the type of soil you have and the weather/temperature are obviously part of the equation too.

There is no "one size fits all" rule, but with a little common sense, a little water can go a long way!