Jray8
Full Member
Posts: 25
Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2015 6:52 pm
Location: Arnold, Maryland USA

Watering

This is a bit basic but how much water is enough? I've got a raised bed and I've mulched it. Best I can tell the soil seems like it holds water pretty well. Is it possible to over water?

cdog222
Cool Member
Posts: 62
Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:52 pm
Location: Zone 6a, St Charles, MO

I don't think you have to worry about over watering a raised bed, especially if it can drain through the bottom or gaps between plants / stones / etc on the sides. In my garden I have several raised beds and several areas that I plant directly in the ground. My watering system allows me to water each bed individually as needed - sometimes I'll forget to turn the water off overnight or while I'm at work during the day in one of the beds - the raised beds are always fine, but in ground beds fill up with water. Until you get used to the 'right amount', water for a little while and then dig small hole and see how far down the water soaked into the soil. Eventually, you will get a feel for when your plants are thirsty. With a nice layer of mulch, it's much easier to keep the soil consistently moist.

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jal_ut
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Posts: 7447
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Northern Utah Zone 5

You may find a Soil Water Meter useful. You poke the probe in the soil and the meter tells you how damp the soil is. They are less than $10.



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