To me, watering is therapeutic, because I never rush while watering. Because I choose ideal watering timing. So, I water plants slowly and precisely. Observe every plant’s growth, and how it absorbs water and enjoy the visuals of my plants. Gardening is a mindful practice so try to enjoy every gardening work.
Watering is an important process like a lifeline to any plant, especially potted plants because they’ve limited space to hold water, watering properly without damaging any of the plant parts is also important in container gardening.
Watering cans are an unavoidable tool in container gardening, the main purpose of a Watering can is to water evenly in a controlled pressure. Because water with high-pressure damages potted plants’ top layer and makes soil compaction. Continually watering with high pressure damages roots. Watering cans sprinkler helps to water in controlled pressure.
Apart from this reason, there are some more purposes to like affordable choice and you don’t need direct water sources like water tap or motor to use these tools. You can store these cans; you can just pour water from water drums and water the plants using watering cans.
With the help of watering cans, you can water accurately to the potted plants in small tight spaces with the help of a long spout with a sprinkler. It saves water, avoids water wastage and is easy to carry.
Contents
1. WHY PRECISION WATERING IS IMPORTANT IN CONTAINER GARDENING
The plant’s growth and health depend on precision watering. Knowing the importance and how it benefits your plants helps you to know better the watering techniques.
Prevent Overwatering & Root Rot
I was watering with mugs to my pots in the starting days of container gardening, and I’ve some plant pots in the front yard I watered with a hose. The two biggest mistakes I made in watering my container plants.
I can see the consequence not so after, I saw soil compaction, root damage and soggy soil. I didn’t know much about watering cans at that time but I bought one after little research on how high-pressured watering damages the plant.
Watering cans are controlled and pressured with watering because of the sprinkler in the end. This sprinkler waters evenly in controlled pressure and spreads the water evenly like rain pouring. It prevents pressure that is made in the soil so no soil compaction and root damage because of pressure. And the even spread of watering prevents root rot.
Avoid Underwatering
If you’re not watering properly underwatering occurs, and this leads to plant stress, the soil becomes dry and plants gonna struggle to absorb the necessary water which also affects the basic photosynthesis process. A basic process that is needed for a plant’s survival.
If you see signs like wilted leaves, leaves dropping, Crispy leaves, yellowing leaves, Slow growth that does not produce any flowers, fruits or veggies or reduced production. And mainly dry and hard soil. If you do not notice the signs of underwatering. The plant going to be weaker from day to day.
To Avoid Overwatering, use less pressured watering cans, water when you feel the top layer of the soil is dry or use a thin wooden stick/skewer insert them in the pot and observe the stick if it feels dry without any soil watering the plant. If you see moisture and some soils don’t water the plant.
Efficient Water Use
The one thing people did not talk much about container gardening is, it requires less water than Ground gardening. I’ve 30+ plants in the ground and nearly 70 in pots, the water I use for those 30 plants for a week is the water I use to water 70 plants for 3 weeks. You might think ground garden plants are huge they need so much water, no that’s not the only reason.
In Ground especially in hot weather areas ground gardens dry so quickly the water absorption is higher than the plant needs because of the heat under the ground. You can’t control the heat waves or global pollution to reduce the water wastage but you can adopt container plants.
By using Watering cans in potted plants, you can control the water flow and make the limited capacity potted plant hold moisture with even watering. Watering Cans also help you to water directly to the pots so the chances of spilling water are low. You might overwater with a watering hose sometimes but watering cans limit the quantity so no overwatering.
Also, with the help of watering cans, you can water as you need, if you find that some of your plants need more water because of the weather, soil mix or reasons and some of your plants need less water. With Watering cans, you can water as you want.
Nutrient Management
Watering with the right tool and correct pressure helps the plant to absorb water evenly, it helps to maintain a healthy moisture soil, which helps root growth and healthy roots mean healthy plants. Healthy plants produce lush leaves, flowers, fruits or vegetables.
2. TYPES OF WATERING CANS FOR PRECISION WATERING
There are different types of watering cans available in the market. Choose the watering cans that fit and suit your garden needs.
Narrow spout cans for small pots and sensitive plants without disturbing them.
Long Reach Cans are best for hard-to-reach tight spot plants like bushy and thorned plants.
Showerhead Cans are pouring water like raindrops with controlled pressure.
Compact Cans are ideal for indoor uses or preferable if kids want to water.
3. FEATURES TO LOOK FOR IN A WATERING CAN
There are some factors and features you need to know before choosing any Watering cans. These features help you to choose quality products with longer lifespans, and save you money.
Material
Metal watering cans are ideal for hard surfaces, or if you want to keep it in a sunny location or outdoor gardens. Plastic Cans are affordable and light-weighted so you can use them in indoor and semi-shaded areas.
Capacity
If you’ve very few plants 3-litre cans are enough. If you’ve 10-15 plants 5-litre cans are enough. If you’ve more than 30 plants use a 10-litre can.
Design
Choose Watering cans with ergonomic handles for better grip to hold and control water pressure while watering.
Spout and Showerhead
Choose Watering cans with a removable spout so you can change while watering different water-needed plants.
4. WATERING TECHNIQUES FOR PRECISION
Knowing these watering techniques helps you to water precisely and it helps plant growth. This all might sound difficult, but in the longer run Gardening all becomes easy and you can work unconsciously. And these are best practices.
Slow and Steady flow
Hold the watering can with Grib water slowly this allows you to water in controlled pressure.
Watering at base
Instead of watering to foliage from the top, water the top layer of soil with minimal pressure. (you need to bend or put plant pots in height)
Timing Matters
The best time for watering the plants is Mornings before 10 am, throughout the day the plant absorbs the water and sunlight. You can water in the evening but don’t water in the evening if the weather is cold, it leads the plant mould on the top layer of soil.
Watering Frequency
There is no watering schedule touch the soil if you feel dry water it, feel moist don’t water it. You can also see the dryness of the soil by the colour if it is light shaded it’s dried the soil looks darker it’s moist. If you still doubt insert a stick to the pot to know the dryness or moisture.
5. MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR YOUR WATERING CANS
Here are the tips to keep your watering cans clean and longer lifespan.
Cleaning
Soak baking soda and dish soap with water filled overnight and wash thoroughly using Scrubber to keep the cans clean.
Storage
Store them dry and keep them in the shade best for the watering cans.
Inspect Watering Cans
Inspect your Cans at least a few weeks once to check if any algae are there. And check for water leaks, cracks or any damages.
CONCLUSION
These precise watering techniques help you to water effectively and keep your plant healthy and grow healthy. This method also helps to save water and choose the right tools for your Gardening Journey.
Investing in good quality watering can is not a waste, it helps you to save your time and energy. Most importantly plays an important role in plant growth and helps you to avoid watering issues in container gardening.
Happy Gardening!
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