How to water plants in a backyard?
I know this must sound like such a stupid question, but I’m currently house sitting for a friend. He has a huge backyard filled with potted plants and non potted. It hit 106 degrees here today and I know I have to water, but I’ve never had plants (apartment dweller) and just want to know: Whats the best way to water all the plants with a hose? How much water do the plants need? Am I suppose to use a light stream for the potted plants so as to avoid knocking dirt out?
Thanks for any help you might give!
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I work in a nursery so maybe I can help. Well, if it is much hotter than usual you will have to water more than usual. Plants that are planted in the ground (assuming they have been there a while) will need less water than the ones in the pots b/c the roots are more established and can take moisture from the ground. The ones in the ground just water once so it is like a puddle and then wait so the water can soak into the ground then go over it again. For the potted plants do the same but go over it about 2-3 times each (same concept until the water covers all the soil each time). Make sure not to use so much pressure with the water as it will wash the fertilizer and soil off and the plants will not like that and will dry out faster. These need more water b/c they are out of the ground and will become more dry faster. Just put your finger lightly over the tip of the hose so it breaks the water rather than putting a bunch of pressure on it. I’ve worked on a nursery since I was very young so I know what I’m talking about. : )
Sorry for so much editing trying to be very specific.. I forgot one thing. If it stays hot you can spray the whole plant (from the very hope leaves down to the base) this will cool the plants down and make them happier. It is better to water when it is cooler, like after dinner or early morning.
Biggest thing to consider is NEVER water the leaves EVER. make sure the water goes on the ground around the plant/s As you have such a big area to cover, hopefully you will have a watering can. If you turn on the hose very slowly and put it IN the watering can, you can safely water all around gently and will not have to keep filling up the can! Also make sure it ‘puddles’ before moving on to the next area. If you water at night you risk mildew, so water first thing in the mornings before the sun gets too hot. Clever arent I? You have to be when y ou live in Australia and we have restricted watering times etc.,
Does the homeowners have a wand to put on the end of the hose or is there a sprinkler that you can hook up to the hose to water the whole thing at once. Yes, a light stream is good–or you could put water in a bucket and go around an water with a smaller container–a lot of work.Don’t water in the heat of the day–first thing in the a.m. is best or later in the day around dusk.
It’s best to use a cap for the hose and turn it on a mist setting. Plants should never get to hot or they’ll wilt as you probably know. If that happens the best you can do is just mist it. NEVER do it too hard. The dirt will wash away and expose the roots. The pots usually have holes on the bottom so any extra water will filter out. So it’s better to overwater, than underwater.
Good luck! Hope you like gardening..
Look, here is the bottom line without getting all caught up in the irrelevant details. Fact of the matter is you are house sitting. Nothing you can do will cause irreparable damage to the plants.
They need water. Go outside in the early morning or evening and water them a lot with the hose. Use a soft spray not a hard one. They will be fine.