Container plants need regular watering. How much you need to water will depend on the size of container, the type of plant, and the weather; all determine how often and how much you need to water. When your vegetable plants are young, they need to be watered more often because the soil will dry out from the top down. Since your young plants do not have a deep root system yet, they need the water nearer the top of the container. As your vegetable plants mature, the roots go deeper and therefore need less frequent watering.

Make a pond in a pot to add a beautiful addition to any small-space garden. Choose a container that will hold a minimum of 20 liters or 5 gallons. A dark-colored interior will discourage algae, help disguise the organisms when present, and give the illusion of greater depth. A fountain could be added if you have access to electricity.

How Much Water Is Needed?

So how do you know how much water to give your containers? A good way to check to see if your container needs to be watered is to stick your index finger into the soil up to the knuckle—if you can feel moisture, do not water. If the soil feels dry, give the container a good drink. The container has had enough water if, after you have given it a good drink and the water has had a few minutes to settle, you can feel the moisture 2 to 3 inches from the top. If the container is quite dry, the water will drain quickly out the bottom, leaving very little water to be absorbed in the soil. If this is the case, keep giving the container a drink every few minutes until the water stops draining from the bottom. Over-watering is as big of a problem as under-watering, so make sure you check your containers regularly—at least once a day or two times—if the pots are small, and it is a hot day. To help keep the moisture from evaporating from your container, mulch can be used. Mulching the top of the soil with moss, leaves, grass clippings, or even shredded newspaper can prevent the moisture from evaporating too quickly, especially in hot weather. Mulching also works well when you are growing vegetable plants that prefer a cooler soil like spinach, lettuce, and Brassicas because it will keep the soil a bit cooler as well. If you are going away on vacation, especially for an extended period during the summer months, make sure you have someone water your containers while you are gone. Using a drip system on a timer is an option if you are going to be gone for a short period of time. Just make sure the hoses are secured in the containers so they get watered properly. If you only have a few pots, try cutting off the bottom of a pop bottle or plastic milk carton and placing the top of the bottle securely into the soil. Then fill the container with water. If the container is well moistened to begin with, the water will slowly be released as it is needed. This is a great option if you are gone for only a day or two. Do not use a sprinkler when watering your containers as the container often does not get enough water in it to be effective.