Leaf Me Alone: How to Avoid Overwatering

When new to gardening, the most common mistake we make as beginners is how much we water our plant companions. When plant problems such as chlorosis (yellowing of leaves) and stunted growth are noticed, the automatic response is that you did not water it enough, and perhaps you need to water it more. It is usually the exact opposite, and your plant might need a little less attention in the watering department. Overwatering is the number one mistake we make when it comes to caring for our plants, so how can we avoid it?

Literal “hand watering” of a young sprout

First, plants require different watering schedules, so acquainting yourself with what your specific plants need will be your first task in learning how to water your garden efficiently. Many house plants like pothos, philodendron, and calathea will love regular weekly to biweekly waterings. Other indoor plants like snake plants, succulents, and peperomia will want to dry out a bit in between rounds of watering. Heavy feeder crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes, melons, and squash will need regular, frequent watering (best via drip irrigation multiple times a week) and will benefit from weekly deep waterings (via hose or hand watering once a week). Light feeders like herbs, lettuces, leafy greens, and flowers will not need as much water as other crops, but will still want to have regular watering every two to three days. If it helps you to organize better, make a little schedule or calendar of when you should water your plants to assist you in ensuring their healthy growth. 

Young child happily hand watering some perennial flowers

After learning about water requirements, check the weather for your climate weekly, therefore allowing you to know whether to kick up or slow down your watering. During the hot summer months, it is likely that your plants, indoor and outdoor alike, will need extra water or attention. Similarly, plants in the colder winter months may want less water, which gives them ample time to allow their roots to absorb the water provided. If it is supposed to rain, halt outdoor watering during this time to avoid the risk of drowning plant roots. If an intense heatwave occurs, make sure to check your plants and soil daily for potential sun damage or soil dryness. Keeping your watering schedule in tune with the current weather conditions will prove helpful in maintaining the health of your garden and eliminate the chances of wasting water in our current state of global warming.

The Hand-Soil test is a tried and true method of determining soil dampness

Another useful tip in avoiding overwatering is the standard hand-soil check. If you are unsure as to whether your plants have enough water or need more, manually check the soil by digging about six inches down, making a soil ball in your hand, and observe the soil wetness and density. If the soil ball in your hand does not hold its form and crumbles apart immediately, it may be too dry and need some water. If the soil clumps in your hand and feels hard, squishy, and very wet, you have been watering too much, and you need to ease back on your watering schedule. If the clumped soil retains its form, feels damp, and is easily crumbled back into loose soil, that typically means your watering schedule is just right. Feeling soil will probably be the best insight into knowing how your watering schedule is working and will give you the answer of whether or not you will need to water on any given day. The hand-soil test is mainly for outdoor crops in larger containers; for house plants in small pots, insert your finger down into the soil to feel for soil wetness or dryness. 

Close up of a drip irrigation emitter watering some young lettuces

Lastly, when it comes to watering, irrigation systems will prove to be your best friend. It is a lot easier to avoid under or overwatering with an irrigation system (specifically a drip system) in place. Although your garden will love weekly deep hand waterings (via hose or watering can), irrigation systems allow you to create a reliable schedule for your garden. It also frees you up to do other garden maintenance with the free time you have. Just remember, if you are not sure if your plants need water, take these steps: create a list of how much water each plant needs, check the weather, create a watering schedule or calendar, hand test your soil, and if possible, install an irrigation system. Above all else, allow your plants to talk to you, sometimes they will say give me water, and other times they will say leave me alone.