If there's nothing that you can do to alter the soggy conditions, then you need plants that don't mind the muck. Wet soil can mean the death of many landscape plants — due not only to excess water but also to lack of oxygen. Plants that can't tolerate such conditions usually die of suffocation.
Planting vegetables in wet soil also alters the type of microorganisms found in the growing substrate. When compaction reduces the oxygen level in the soil, anaerobic bacteria proliferate. These microorganisms produce substances like hydrogen sulfide, butyric acid and alcohols which are harmful to vegetable plants.
Make a quick check of soil moisture conditions by taking a handful of soil from planting depth (or tillage depth if planning on doing tillage) and press it in your hands to make a mud ball. If wet soil sticks to your hand, it's probably too wet.
If you have very wet soil, consider creating raised beds, both for flowering plants and for veg – you can fill these with the perfect soil mix for the plants you would like to grow. Alternatively, plant onto mounds of soil so that excess water can drain away.
Roots growing in waterlogged soil may die because they cannot absorb the oxygen needed to function normally. The longer the air is cut off, the greater the root damage. The dying roots decay and cannot supply the plants with nutrients and water. Damage caused by over watering is frequently misdiagnosed as pest damage.
Give the soil a squeeze to check for moistness. If you squeeze and the soil sticks together then it is moist. But if the soil crumbles or it remains in a loose pile as you squeeze then the ground needs more water. Now drop the soil and brush the soil off your hands.
No plant wants to be stuck into bone-dry earth.
That's because plant roots need moisture. Not only do they need water to run their physical systems, but moist soil also enables them to root into the ground well.
It usually takes a few days after a good rain for the soil to dry out enough that you can start planting. If you're unsure, push aside any mulch, dig 2 or 3 inches into the soil and take a handful. “If it clings together so you can form a fist of it, it's mud, and still too wet to work in,” Savio said.
Waterlogged soil A waterlogged soil is wet, with lots of water in the pores of the soil structure. The opposite is a aerated soil.
Introduction. “Wet feet” is the common term for a condition that affects plant species intolerant of wet growing conditions. This problem occurs when soils become saturated with water, which, in turn, displaces available oxygen. Roots require oxygen to function; when oxygen is deficient, roots suffocate.
Soaking Your Bare Root Plant
This is an important step because it will allow the roots to re-hydrate and absorb water.
You can get waterlogged or overwatered soil to dry out by either repotting the plant or creating an environment that encourages the plant to lose water through evaporation. You could also try relocating the plant to an area that receives more sunlight or has better ventilation overall.
When a plant is first becoming overwatered, leaves turn yellow. If soil doesn't have a chance to dry out before you water again, leaves start to wilt. When overwatering is the problem, wilted leaves are soft and limp. (If too little water is the issue, wilted leaves are dry and crispy.)
One of the quickest, first signs of overwatering your plants is to observe occurs at the tip of the leaf. If the tip of the leaf is turning brown this is a sign of overwatering. Too little water will result in your plant's leaves feeling dry and crispy to the touch while too much water results in soft and limp leaves.
Underwatering your plants will result in limp and wilting leaves. Your plants must have enough water to pass through the cells for turgor. If there isn't enough water, the plant will not only wilt but also close its stoma to prevent evaporation.
Q. How often should plants be watered? Water once or twice per week, using enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of about 6 inches each time.
A root sample will show blue-black roots, a typical sign of waterlogging that may be accompanied by a sour, rotting smell. Roots may rot away completely, with few remaining. Damaged roots will be blackened and the bark may peel away.
In extreme situations where the soil is almost constantly waterlogged the only answer might be to install drains that lead to some sort of soakaway. French drains are among the simplest drains, suitable for most gardens with a gentle slope that will enable water to trickle away via gravity.
Poor infiltration (also known as percolation) can be caused by compacted soils, soil with high clay content or soils with a shallow depth to bedrock. Water can perch on top of these materials, either at the ground surface or slightly below it, causing sogginess.
Tomatoes really love water and do not like to dry up too much! It's hard to overwater a tomato plant, but even a water-loving plant can get overwatered. Always feel the soil before watering - it should feel a bit dry or moist but not wet.