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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: palmski on February 15, 2011, 22:51:05

Title: When to water and how?
Post by: palmski on February 15, 2011, 22:51:05

Hi all, its getting exciting nearly time to get out and start planting

Hope somebody can help as i am still an apprentice LOL...
When starting seeds of indoors in a propergator of a sort.

Whats the best way to water the seeds once planted?
am i best of standing in bowl of water until soil has soaked up water or watering over the top and letting drain excess?

Also after first water how often should i be re watering?

Many thanks

Title: Re: When to water and how?
Post by: kt. on February 15, 2011, 23:37:36

Water from the bottom is best so as not to damage the seedlings as they emerge.  Roots naturally draw down in search of water.  You should not be able to see pools of water on top of the seedlings but the compost should be slightly moist.  Don't let it dry out for too long neither. 

Title: Re: When to water and how?
Post by: aj on February 16, 2011, 07:16:24

What you need to do is to feel the pots.

If they are still heavy - they don't need water
If they feel light - then they do.

A - Pour 1/4 inch of water in the bottom of the tray.
B - If it is still there in half an hour, pour it away.
C - If it has gone, go back to A

Title: Re: When to water and how?
Post by: adrianhumph on February 16, 2011, 08:56:00

Hi Palmski,
                 One word of warning, ::) Don`t start sowing too early,  So many people have fallen into the trap of thinking the soil is warm enough, only to be hit by snow & ice & lost all their plants!
                          Adrian.
             

Title: Re: When to water and how?
Post by: Tee Gee on February 16, 2011, 10:53:34

You might get some ideas here;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Watering/Watering.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Watering/Watering.htm)

Title: Re: When to water and how?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on February 16, 2011, 20:19:01

If you've got seeds in pots, don't water too much. They don't use up much water, so the pots don't dry out fast indoors. once they're up and growing, you can water more.

Title: Re: When to water and how?
Post by: chriscross1966 on February 18, 2011, 00:40:19

I find a rule of thumb is that if I'm starting seeds off in a seed-tray sized module set then a 60, 40 or 24-cell tray will want threequarters of a pint and a 15 or 12-cell will want a pint of water with a flat teaspoon of cheshunt compound per. As long as they are under their lid then they won't need any more water, after that then only water when both the top of the compost and the sand in the tray under them is dry....