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Location

Message

Date Posted

Gone With The Win

Would it hurt to put a gallon per plant per day if no rain?

7/30/2019 8:20:18 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

That isn’t an easy answer. Everyone’s garden and plant needs are different. Weather is different everywhere. Humidity, etc. The plants don’t like constant wet roots. They don’t look me to be too dry. Depends on your soil. Loose soil the roots run out every which way looking for water. Compact soil the roots don’t go very far. I have loose sandy loamy soil. My roots can run out 8-10 feet in all directions. I water using my drip lines spaced two feet apart. I water daily every six hours for an hour each time using an auto timer. Your needs might be different.

7/30/2019 9:02:29 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I think most growers overwater. I think that tomatoes like dry feet. I am on sand with 5% om. Way different than clay. I have turned the sprinkler on twice this year. It has been a rainy year so far. I use my finger...if i feel moisture a 1/2 to an inch down, I dont water. Of the plants, I have pulled...they have roots 4 ft out. They are still young. Dryness encourages roots...more roots=more nutrient area to draw from. Next year, will probably be watering more...but only because I intend to be watering using some hydroponic nutrients.

7/30/2019 9:16:14 PM

On a cliff in the desert

What do you consider watering? Just straight water from the tap or to include water from compost teas, foliar spraying, fertilizers, etc. My plants are getting some water almost every day between everything. I also have heavy clay soil and have to watch out for things turning into a pile of mud if I give too much water.

7/30/2019 10:37:04 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

Trying to avoid superdry/superwet is important in order to avoid Blossom End Rot.
Only problem is that big ol’ Spigot in the sky that we have no control over.

7/31/2019 12:21:48 AM

Grittyville, WA

A gallon sounds ok but a gallon on clay will hold to the soil differently than a gallon on sand. But that sounds about right to me. A large plant might need more. Humidity and plant size might be the biggest factors.

7/31/2019 12:51:34 AM

Grittyville, WA

I try to keep part of the root zone dry and part wet to avoid one extreme or the other. If you are lazy like me it sorta works.

7/31/2019 12:58:35 AM

Western Massachusetts

Just keep soil as close to 58-59% moisture as you can, how much water that takes is up to your conditions. Truthfully I slack with water and have let soil go down to 52% moisture - don't do that lol

7/31/2019 8:02:16 AM

Western Massachusetts

Just keep soil as close to 58-59% moisture as you can, how much water that takes is up to your conditions. Truthfully I slack with water and have let soil go down to 52% moisture - don't do that lol

7/31/2019 8:02:32 AM

Western Massachusetts

Just keep soil as close to 58-59% moisture as you can, how much water that takes is up to your conditions. Truthfully I slack with water and have let soil go down to 52% moisture - don't do that lol

7/31/2019 8:02:48 AM

Western Massachusetts

Freaking wifi...

7/31/2019 8:03:07 AM

Central NY

Up until tennis ball size on the fruit I let mine dry right out...few inches down dry as a bone....after that, I water deep, let dry, water deep let dry...about every 3-4 days for those last 3-4 weeks...but that’s in my soil ,with my loam and with what I put down/in...overall I would say less is more w tomatoes...again, that’s what works here...tomato Tim I think you’d be better off watering two gallons each plant then Let them dry right out...or just experiment with a few with less water/more water, see what works in your mater patch...I see your already crushing last years numbers...keep it up!!....good luck!

7/31/2019 9:43:27 AM

Wixom MI.

It's been so wet here this year that i only watered one time this year.

7/31/2019 10:02:07 AM