Allowing the soil to dry out in between waterings (while not stressing the plant) is really important for preventing disease, mold, and growing stronger and healthier plants. Less frequent but deeper watering is better than frequent shallow waterings (once plants are established).
Deep roots allow them to get water more consistently, so they won't be as susceptible to variations in temperature and humidity. For most plants it's ok/good to allow the top couple inches of soil to dry out completely before watering again. When you do water, make sure the water is really soaking down to the roots.
One of the most frequent issues plant owners have is overwatering. After watering, the soil around the plant should remain moist for a while to allow the plant to receive the nutrients and water it needs. 2 to 4 hours after watering, the soil should still be moist.
The soil in your garden should take about a week to dry out after normal watering. If the soil is still wet for more than a week, without outside contributing factors like rain or flooding, there might be a waterlogging or drainage problem.
You should always check the state of your soil before tilling. Avoid tilling in wet soil as soil compaction can occur and lead to poor root penetration in the growing season. If it rains, it's best to wait a few days to allow soil to become semi-dry.
Having a dry soil is something you want to avoid as this can result in withered or dead plants. When the dry season arrives, soil that lacks organic ingredients will quickly become dehydrated and will actually repel water instead of absorbing it.
Insert a trowel into the soil, then tilt the trowel to check the moisture of garden plants. You can also insert a wooden dowel into the soil to determine the depth of soil moisture. If the dowel comes out clean, the soil is dry. Damp soil will cling to the dowel.
Gardening FAQ
The problem with your soil resisting hydration is not uncommon. It usually begins with the soil being watered incompletely and then drying more than it should. After that it can become hydrophobic and actually repel water! The ingredient in the soil that is causing that problem is peat.
The water should only rise to about halfway up the side of the pot, and should NEVER spill over the top—that would flood your plant and defeat the whole purpose of bottom watering! Let your plant sit in the water and check it every 10 minutes or so. When the surface of the soil just feels damp, it's done!
A layer of organic mulch helps the soil retain water so it can stay moist. Apply a 2-4 inch (5 – 10 cm) layer of organic mulch, like straw, compost, or leaves, on top of the garden soil to reduce evaporation. Mulch will reduce the amount of water needed and prevent weeds so there won't be competition for soil moisture.
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.)
The health of our crops relies upon an adequate supply of moisture and soil nutrients, among other things. As moisture availability declines, the normal function and growth of plants are disrupted, and crop yields are reduced. And, as our climate changes, moisture availability is becoming more variable.
Adding compost to your soil allows the soil to hold onto more moisture, keeps precious microbiology alive (which helps plants thrive), and feeds your plant low amounts of plant food.
You can improve the water retention properties of your soil by adding vermiculite, sphagnum (peat) moss, and/or coconut coir. When you make the soil retain more moisture, you'll also need to improve the drainage to prevent any watering issues. You can improve the drainage by adding perlite, Leca, and sand to your soil.
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. Improving drainage in the area is always a plus; consider installing a French drain, a wet-weather bed or raised beds.
Waterlogged soils exclude oxygen from the roots thus causing decline of the plants. What happens is the roots die off leaving the plant unable to uptake the needed moisture and nutrients for proper plant growth.
Mulch, mulch, and mulch some more!
Cover your soil with a blanket of organic material such as straw, leaves, shredded paper or cardboard, or bark. This will moderate soil temperature, prevent runoff and evaporation, and hold moisture in the for longer periods between waterings.
Water to the depth of the roots. With seeds and young seedlings, water frequently to keep the top few inches of soil moist. While this varies depending on weather and your local conditions, frequently usually means once or twice a day. As the plants grow bigger and become established, water less frequently but deeper.
moist. 'High moisture' plants prefer moist soil—not wet soil. Wet soil or fully saturated soil is soil that has all pore spaces filled with water and devoid of air. For example, a sponge that is completely full of water and no air would be considered fully saturated.
Can you over water by bottom watering? Yes, if the plant is sitting in water too long, you can still overwater your plant through bottom watering. However, bottom watering is a more controlled method of watering your plants.
Bottom watering is generally beneficial for a wide range of plants, but it's important to consider the specific needs of your plant. Some plants, like succulents, may be more susceptible to root rot if overwatered from the bottom.