Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Signs of Overwatering

I am guilty of overwatering.  It's because I just can't figure out when it is dry or too wet.  In my defense, we can have 70 degree days and 35 degree nights, so the swift weather changes do not help me.  During the smoldering summers, I feel it is impossible to overwater.  But I feel like I have finally noted signs of overwatering.  I read somewhere that if the leaves turn yellow at the tips it's a sign of overwatering.  Leaves can turn yellow for a variety of reasons but I have determined this as specific.


Camellia leaves turning yellow

Knockout tree - yellow leaves
Sometimes they just turn yellow but I think this is overwatering too.

Same Camellia as above

I am almost finished planting my rose bushes.  Six more to go.  The strawberries were moved and here are three Blue girls followed by Double Delight.

I am running out of room in the rose garden, so good timing.  I know I have planted too close together so I am certain I will wind up moving something.  This is the back of the house facing the front.

I planted a George Tabor Azalea Bush


Very large rose garden.

From the porch view.

3 comments:

Jean Campbell said...

You can get a little meter at the garden center or hardware store than you stick in the ground and it tells you if the soil is damp. Doesn't cost much. I just stick my finger in the soil, but the meter can measure more deeply.

Cerberus German shepherds said...

Good idea, as a stupid question,,,,when does the meter tell me they are thirsty? When it has no water presence?

Jean Campbell said...

The simple ones have a little indicator that goes from red (dry) on over. You could stick in the ground to see what it reads when the soil is freshly watered and then water often enough to keep it out of the red except for those plants that like to dry out between waterings (like begonias).

You just want to know that the soil is still moist.