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Re: Watering Question

The plants should be kept well watered for at least the first two weeks
after translplanting. However, I think daily is a too much, and the
yellowing you're indicating is definitely a symptom of overwatering.
Instead of watering everyday, try every three days and cover the area with
a mulch. Dry grass clippings (sans seed) makes a good mulch, just make sure
that you keep the mulch about an inch away from the plant stem. Even
watering every three days may be too much depending on you soil type, so
use the finger test: stick your finger into the soil by an inch. If it
feels dry, water it; if not, wait.

It's actually good (especially w/ tomatoes) to let the top inch or so of
soil dry out because you want deep roots, not shallow roots to form.
Shallow roots will overheat later in the season and be exposed to too much
drying when the weather gets hot. Of course mulching religiously will also
help that.

The onions and radish are doing well because they like a lot of water. I
have heard that overwatered onions will eventually rot, although I have no
first hand experience w/ that problem.

Hope this helps.

--Natalie

However, shouln't I keep the young transplants
>well watered for some length of time?  My question is  ---  How Long?
>I transplanted some tomatoes (about 6 inches tall)  a week ago and have
>been watering them daily to keep their roots moist.  However, the young
>plants are now looking sort of yellowish.  When I first planted them they
>were a nice lush green color. Could it be that I am overwatering them?  I
>have heard the overwatering is one of the most common causes of death to
>new plants.  The same thing seems to be happening to my cabbage and
>watermellon.  However my radishes and onions are doing great.



Natalie McNair-Huff
Gardening Organically in Tacoma, WA Sunset zone 5; USDA Zone 7/8
Publisher/Editor Mac Net Journal http://www.blol.com/web_mnj/

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