Getting Back to the Roots: Why Your Container Gardens Need Better Watering

I finally got a chance to catch up on some miniature gardening this week. I find it’s necessary in this life for my sanity—to balance my website and tech work with hands-on, tech-free miniature gardening. Playing and getting my hands into the soil is such a complete counter-activity to sitting at a desk all day long, plunking away at a computer. I hope you’re able to strike a balance with your work as well.

But as I dug into some larger pots to take them apart—similar to any container garden with any kind of plants, I might add—they need redoing after a couple of years. And I was reminded of how much I WASN’T watering well!

And I’m the professional—?

What and When to Look For

If your container gardens have been growing together in the same pot for over a year or more, it’s time to take a look at your watering practice to make sure your plants are still getting what they need to thrive.

This can be done at any time of year. Before and during the growing season is best because you can give your container a bit of fertilizer at the same time. For miniature gardens, fertilize very gently—you don’t want your miniature plants growing too fast.

Or, do this when:

• You notice that when you are watering, the water isn’t flowing properly on the soil.
• The plants might be wilting too frequently or maybe start to brown.
• Some plants that don’t get enough water will go on strike and not produce many flowers, if at all.
• And if you’ve been gardening for a while, you may see the difference in the foliage when the plant needs water—the leaves will look greener and plump when they are properly hydrated. A dehydrated plant might be a bit pale, and the leaves look more skinny or fragile-looking.

There is never any rigid schedule for watering any kind of garden, especially outdoors. The air, sun, clouds, weather, placement of the container, and the type of container can all play a part in hydrating or dehydrating your container garden.

Here’s what to do to make sure you are watering thoroughly so all the roots get the moisture they need:

For Any Container Garden – Aerate After Several Seasons of Growth

For any pot that has been growing together for over a year, aerate the soil by poking a rod or stick several inches down into the soil all around each plant. This rod can be ¼” thick or less, but it needs to be strong enough to push down in the soil. If you have a very delicate plant, please refer to that plant’s individual care needs. Most of the plants that we use for our gardening in miniature are tough, durable plants.

Carefully push the foliage aside so you can see the soil and poke that rod down as far as you can. Do this every 2 to 3 inches wherever you can around the plant to open up airways to the roots and to channel the water down into the pot and to the inside of the root balls.

If you notice the top of the soil has a crusty layer, break up this crust with your fingers to bring it back to a soil-like texture again. This happens after a few months of watering, but it tends to redirect the water away from the roots to the edge of the pot.

Small Pots

If it’s a small container that you are able to pick up, you’ll be able to feel the water weight, and that will tell you how much watering it needs—if at all. If it’s super-lightweight, soak the whole pot in a bucket or tray of water, and water it from the top to make sure the entire root ball is getting soaked.

If it’s completely submerged—the pot, not the plants—you’ll see air bubbles coming up to the surface. After the bubbles subside, you’ll know that water has penetrated the root ball. Soak it for a few hours, then take it out to drain freely before putting it back on a saucer.

Watering Big Containers

For large containers that you can’t pick up and put in a tray to soak, you’ll have to rewet the soil from the top.

First, make sure the top layer of soil isn’t crunchy by mixing it up—again, the crust redirects the water away from the plant’s roots. If it’s really dry, make several passes with the watering wand after you aerate the soil. Let some water seep into the soil on the first pass to moisten it, and then water thoroughly by “filling up” the top of the pot with water several times.

Watch and keep watering until the water comes out of the bottom of the container. CHECK to make sure the water is getting through to the roots by testing a spot: dig into the soil a couple of inches to take a peek. If it’s still dry, you may have to make a few more passes with the hose or watering can to moisten that dry soil again.

Drip, Drip, Drip Irrigation

If you are on a drip irrigation system, check often to make sure the emitters are functioning properly and the water is being directed at the right spot. “Stuff happens” to the tubes, valves, and pieces of the watering system from time to time. By checking often, you can stay ahead of most problems.

Keep It On the Level

Never plant the plants too low in the pot—the air can’t get through the foliage, and if the sun shines on it, it could bake your plants in that little walled area that you created in the pot. AND/PLUS/ALSO you can’t see your plants as well, and your efforts are wasted, imho.

The soil level of all of your pots should be at least one inch down from the rim of the pot so you can “fill up” that space when you water. This is a great way to make sure you are watering thoroughly.

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