Don't Make These Rookie Watering Mistakes!💧

It's Hot. Our plants are thirsty. Water is a precious resource and every drop counts. So how do you know when to water, how much to water whilst apply it in the most effective way?
There are a few tricks that every gardener needs to know, which Ben reveals in this week's video, in time for the coming heat wave. Get your watering can at the ready and let's dive in!
For more information on rain water collection and saving water, see our video on that here: • 💧Best Ways to Collect ...
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[@oootoob]

My tip is to weed while you water - the watering makes it easier to pull up the weeds, you can wash the soil from the weed roots to retain it, and as you pull up the weeds, it's a handy way to see how dry the soil is that comes up with the weed.

[@GrowVeg]

Great tip. :-)

[@WayToVibe]

Oh, this is a good one. Seeing how dry the soil is when it comes up with the weed. Well done with this tip!

[@bridgetphillips7462]

Exactly. I do the same. Water with one hand and weed with the other. 👍

[@gardennerd1757]

My sentiments exactly! It's so much easier that way!

[@johnnylee7832]

One way I pull out dandelions, is I use 2 fingers (one each side of the dandelion), and dig until I have a firm grip on the root, and then I pul and twist and it comes out super easy

[@claireskrine4837]

Fun fact (which I learned from a Bill Bryson book). Our nerves can't actually feel 'wet'. We can feel hot, cold and texture, and a combination of those tells us if something is wet or not. If you have your clothes drying on the line on a cold day it's hard to tell if it's still damp or just cold. Or if a baby pees on you at body temp while you're changing their nappy you wont' realise until it starts to cool (you know how I know!). So a feeling a combination of cold and squishy, rather than warmer and crispy, shows you if your plant is drying out.

[@markirish7599]

Cool comment 😊

[@GrowVeg]

That's a great fact Claire. And I know what you mean about the baby pee!

[@roryscarlett3952]

We always have a washing up tub in the sink to catch all the water we use when simply running the tap for a few seconds. The quick hand wash, cleaning fruit & veg. Surprising amount of water.

[@GrowVeg]

It all adds up Rory, and the more we can save, the better.

[@cosia5072]

Das ist ein guter Tip, auch wenn es offensichtlich ist, soetwas zu tun, man vergisst es viel zu oft. Hab mir gerade auch wieder eine Schüssel ins Bassin gestellt 👋

[@jdegrooth]

We use dirty sheep fleece as mulch, it is free from local farmers, comes with free manure, breaks down over time and also works wonders in early colder season. It also really keeps the moist in!

[@claireskrine4837]

I'd love it if more people knew about this - our sheep farmers are having a shocking time and this is a revenue stream that could really help them.

[@glasgowbeck]

Kiwis do this! A high school team won an entrepreneur competition one year by inventing and selling circular apron type wool mats which fitted around the base of trees. Everyone agreed it was a superb idea. Required a bit of willing, competitive teenage manual labour though

[@gardeningnewearth3680]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing ⭐️

[@GrowVeg]

What a wonderful material - such a great use for it.

[@kanhdahar2]

i can use my xmas woolly sweater i hate that thing! makes me itch! :)

[@ericchristensen9359]

Hi Ben I’m a 55 year old American and just planted my first vegetable garden this spring. I found your channel a couple weeks ago and have been binge watching. Love your channel and all the great tips!! Keep up the enthusiasm and great work!!!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Eric - and a warm welcome to the channel!

[@danyoutube7491]

I like the bit where Ben is watching his "favourite KZbin channel" @7:48 :) Even though I've heard these tips before, I often forget when I see a wilting plant and too hastily reach for the watering can before thinking or testing with the methods described here.

[@krazeyjannie6349]

I live in central France. For the last 4 years we've had hose pipe bans, even to being fined for using well, spring or rain water So we recycle the bath water in the 18 metre x 4metre polytunnel. We syphon the bath water into a "holding tank" and I water 3 beds each day over 6 days. On the 7th day I give every bed a drink of fresh water to help prevent the build-up of soap in the soil. No easy task lugging watering cans about 60 metres down to the tunnel . Just imagine how many trips I have to do with 18 beds to do. But for me it's worth it for all the fresh vegetables.

[@toniedalton5448]

You go you ! That’s great !

[@ruthprattley9318]

Wow! Why will they fine people for using rain water? It comes from the sky, can be captured off a roof and recycled into your own garden. How do they get away with controlling rain water use?!

[@richardmcdonald7329]

@@ruthprattley9318 Any hint of legal action I would ask them "do you have permission from the supplier to claim his water?".

[@gb9276]

God bless you for all that you do to have fresh produce! I pray for your great health, strength and long life to continue to do the things that you love to do. 🙏🌱🌻🌺🙏

[@krazeyjannie6349]

@@ruthprattley9318 It's not using the WATER that's the problem. It's using the HOSE. Carting it in watering cans or buckets is OK. I never could understand the reasoning behind that.

[@maxibake9323]

Great tips.👍 Let's just say, I've NEVER over Watered anything in a Pot. May they RIP. Lol. TFS GV, & take care everyone. ❤🙂🐶

[@rosethorne9076]

🤣

[@GrowVeg]

Haha - we all tend to under or over watering, so don't be too hard on yourself!

[@maxibake9323]

@@GrowVeg 👍🌱🤗❤🙂🐶

[@maxibake9323]

@@rosethorne9076 👍🌱🤗

[@archivedtransience]

Ben waking up in the morning and watching himself on TV 😂

[@GrowVeg]

I don't make a habit of it! ;-)

[@nitelite78]

Some people use tomato halos to help with watering. A cheaper alternative is just to cut rings a few cm high from old, broken plastic plant pots or plastic buckets, put them in the soil in the planting area and then plant your young plants. I do this for tomatoes but also pumpkins and squash. The plastic ring sits an inch or so above the soil line and this lets you really focus watering around the base off the plant without water just running off. I basically just add water to the top of the ring and it all soaks down onto the root ball. This also means the surface outside the ring remains drier and so discourages slugs.

[@GrowVeg]

What a superb idea!

[@wildernessisland2573]

Definitely using this!!!

[@xxPenjoxx]

With my job, I don't wake up until 12-1pm and was watering midday! I shall switch to after work. Thanks for the tip 👍

[@andrewsingleton4525]

When I rebuilt our bungalow I ensured that the roof was used to capture as much water as I could. Two large tanks take water storing 5,500 litres of water in underground storage tanks. A submersible pump provides 3 bar pressure (45psi) and this is piped to my allotment for use in the water butts. I don’t water directly from the hose as I found in my first year of use that I emptied the tanks in only three weeks! Lesson learned 👍🏻

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like a great system you have there Andrew.

[@toddallen7862]

I've been mulching with my grass clippings and it makes a world of difference in terms of moisture retention and soil temperature. It also nearly eliminated soil borne disease and helps with weeds.

[@suzannespruijt2146]

In between my tomato plants I've dug in plastic pots. I water into these, like a cheap Olla. The water goes straight down to the roots and it does not splash the leaves. It saves greatly on water. I have 8 plants along a dry hot wall, and they are very happy with the one 10L watering can I split amongst them every morning.

[@GrowVeg]

That's a great way to make sure every drop of water gets to the roots.

[@RedNicole22]

I saw that tip on another’s gardeners videos and plan to do that with my raised bed that I just built. So excited to try it. I saved my coconut water bottles to use. Win win!

[@reggie5]

I think you're right about watering twice. Often dried out soil seems quite hydrophobic, and quite easily just flows through containers, but if you prime it first and come back, it's much more able to hold the water than just let it pass through. Good topic, it's amazing how dry soil sometimes stays even after watering...someone should do a cross section video one day!

[@claireskrine4837]

Yes, I wait til the first small amount of watering has sunk in rather than run across the top before I add any more.

[@theroswells994]

With pots, I tend to go round 3-5 times, allowing it to soak in rather than pour through

[@lesleyharmer5698]

Yes! And the fact that water doesn't spread out, it only goes straight down, so if you only water one half of a pot, you're only water one half of the roots!

[@GrowVeg]

Good point Reggie - yes, you're spot on there.

[@shannaciano1804]

Everything I water gets twice watering, including my flower beds and lawn

[@slelinson]

Thanks for the chuckle. “Sometimes it can go a surprisingly long time without rain, thee to four weeks!” We can go 6 - 8 months without rain here in California sometimes!

[@GrowVeg]

Wow - that's quite a difference!

[@dabadore.]

You guys get rain??? We get dust.

[@shannaciano1804]

Same in Texas this year.

[@nancywearspants5391]

I've used cardboard and layers of newspaper as mulch. Not only did they keep the soil from drying out, but they acted as weed barriers too. And they also breakdown and amend the soil.

[@andersonomo597]

I'll be darned! I was wondering if that would work! Do you just lay it down in sheets or shred it somewhat? I'm just wondering if the water will penetrate to where it's needed

[@onionring1531]

@@andersonomo597 Both cardboard and newspaper work best as weed barriers when they are simply laid down in sheets. The water can pool on the surface as you soak the area but it will penetrate through no problem.

[@nancywearspants5391]

@@andersonomo597 I've only used the newspaper with soaker hoses. I laid down miltiple layers of sheets. I also staked them down some to keep them from blowing away. With the cardboard, I handwater and leave a bit of space around the base of the plants to let the water reach the roots. I do not shred the cardboard either. Hope this helps. 😊

[@nancywearspants5391]

@@onionring1531 The materials definitely become more permeable as they breakdown.

[@andersonomo597]

@@nancywearspants5391 Thanks - yes it does! We're still in winter here in Sydney but I'm determined to grow more food this year - sometimes I feel all I do is make compost! Watering is always a big problem in the summer so I'll play around with the carboard option and I do like the idea of a soaker hose underneath! Could be a game changer for me. Thanks again.

[@beejereeno2]

7:49 Ben watching Ben. I love this guy lmao

[@pilkyish]

We use the kids paddling pool water throughout summer. This way the chlorine has a few days to off gas, and the paddling pool is constantly refreshed.

[@claireskrine4837]

Great use of grey water (though in my experience it tends to end up as bitty mosquito larva water!)

[@GrowVeg]

That's a smart move. I've also done that in the past.

[@kittvt]

I plant all my plants in slight depressions - similar idea to the tomato halos nitelite78 mentioned. Water will collect in them during rains, or I can easily water with little to no runoff if the weather's dry. We're lucky enough to have a pond on our property; it's too mucky to swim in, but between the turtles and koi and other residents, the water is full of nutrients and organic matter. I put an inexpensive sump pump in the pond and pump the water up to my garden. The plants love it and it doesn't stress the well we use for the house.

[@GrowVeg]

How wonderful to have a pond - that must make watering a lot easier. :-)

[@wudgee]

Yes, I’ve also found that watering twice is good. I watered one of my plots and thought I’d soaked it but when I went to plant my seeds the soil was dry underneath the very top surface. Now I water twice and I’ve found it works better.

[@PeterJavea]

I found the same. The other day we had a short sharp summer shower, just after 3 dry weeks. My neighbour said she wasn't going to water as it had rained. I took a trowel stuck it right in the soil, pulled it towards me revealing 1-2 cm wet, like you did. She got the message

[@haikufarm]

I've made ollas for all my tomato plants from large terracotta pots. I put a coin at the bottom to cover the drain hole (A looney or tooney works well if you have access to Canadian coins) secured with calk, and use the pot dish as a lid. In my maritime climate the tomato plants really struggle with blossom rot and all kinds of mildews, so using ollas really helps take the water to the roots and keep it off the stems and leaves. I fill up the pot with water every few days, and it will gradually release moisture to the soil and roots where it's needed. In fall when I remove each pot I find tomato roots grown all around them.

[@GrowVeg]

What a really fantastic idea! :-)

[@Knappa22]

My way is not to water little and often but to water once in a while with a large volume of water. That way the water goes deep and plant roots chase it down rather than coming to the surface where they are at risk of drying out.

[@helenohara3906]

4 weeks without rain...oh what a joy that would be! here in Perth we have 6 months!

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow, that is incredibly dry. Hope you get some good rain soon.

[@helenohara3906]

Just the usual. We don't usually get rain from Nov to May.

[@laurielatour2862]

Love your cheery videos, Ben! Thanks for all the great tips! I live in Florida where last week the air temp next to my garden in the sun was 114 F. I just installed shade cloth, 40%. I’ve seen videos that say for veggies it’s important not to exceed 30 or 40%. Checked temperature under the shade cloth and it has been 8 to 10 degrees cooler. Really helps but it is something of an experiment for me.

[@GrowVeg]

That's a huge difference in temperature and likely helps your veggies to survive.

[@mechele4848]

👍...Excited about Pollinators 🐝 next time!😁

[@andersonomo597]

Another great video! Thanks Ben! Just one little tip - dump out any water left in the soaking trays to prevent mosquitos from breeding. I left a bucket out and was absolutely horrified at all the wriggly larva that appeared in a flash!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for the advice Anderson - I'll do that.

[@tesstess3371]

@@GrowVeg do you have mosquitos in England?

[@Nitecrow314]

@@tesstess3371 Do bears shit in the woods?🤣

[@shannaciano1804]

I would use it to water other plants that do not need bottom watering.

[@dreadedscotslass]

I collect and water with rain water. It's quite easy in Scotland 🤣

[@GrowVeg]

Top stuff - plenty of it in Scotland! :-)

[@moominpapa3223]

Can’t recommend a watering lance enough… no bending and the watering head can be moved around the base of plants without wetting the leaves. I would never go back to the traditional hand gun attachment. I have a more expensive Geko one, but my £25 B&Q (U.K.) one is just as good and nice and light.

[@Lolloblondo]

Thank you! Your videos are much appreciated and very informative. Much love and gratitude from Scotland where I'm doing my best to grow fruit, herbs and vegetables. 💜

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for that - and I do hope you fruits and veggies are growing well so far this season. :-)

[@SerHuntsReviews]

This video made me a subscriber, thanks brother🙌🏽🤙🏽

[@GrowVeg]

Nice one - thanks so much for the sub, and a very warm welcome to you! :-)

[@marywickersham1854]

I live in Idaho (USA) and in the summer, the County opens up the ditch water system so farmers can water their crops. With that in mind, they also offer it to homeowners who can connect to it much like you would for City water. Two years ago, our well pump broke and I nearly lost all my trees and plants, so we decided to connect to the ditch system. The only problem I have now is that I have so much water, I think I am OVER watering. Many of my plants have gone to seed and I nearly lost my entire strawberry patch. It is starting to warm up with triple digit temperatures, but I've disciplined myself to watering twice a week and checking in-between to be sure the soil is moist below. My over-watering has also caused a slight earwig problem which I've promptly addressed. So, yes. I've learned that over-watering is not a good thing. This was a great video.

[@GrowVeg]

It can be hard to get the perfect balance, but sounds like you're getting there. :-)

[@Milks808]

I have some sloping beds and water just runs off when it's dry. I've started using drinks bottles filled with water, lids off and a couple of pin pricks in the bottom so the water slowly drips out over an hour or so. I put these at the base of my plants so all of the water gets to the roots, it saves loads of water and time

[@alisonandrew5231]

Look into amending your beds by turning whem into swales. Lots of how to and why on KZbin. Geoff lawsons videos are a good place to start. Swales harvest and slow the water through the slope. All quite interesting once you get into how they work. Well worth a look!

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Mark, that's a great way to do things. As well as swales, you could also create levees around your plants to trap the water.

[@Milks808]

Ah I'm not familiar with swales, thanks for that I will look into it!

[@sallywise3275]

I'm in New Zealand and have a 1200 litre overflowing into a 900 litre, on the other side I have a 450 litre tank overflowing to two 100 litre bins. Also off the garage a 250 litre, also off my shade house another 250 litre guttertank. Helps with water bills! And lovely soft water. Great site.

[@GrowVeg]

That's a lot of harvested rainwater - top job!

[@thewilsons7267]

I live in zone 9b, low desert. Watering twice is mandatory here for getting water deep enough, and daily watering of pots June through mid September. Shade cloth and mulch ( I use 3 inches of straw) are mandatory here to keep produce from burning, and hopefully conserving water too! I appreciate your you Tube show and never miss- Gardengirl in Nevada

[@GrowVeg]

Those sound like challenging conditions!

[@catalinacatg8861]

Hiya. California gardener here. I am trying to use plastic sheeting around my tomatoes to see how they do. Some toms with and some toms without. I use mulch (seasoned horse manure, not used when horse is wormed! Yikes :() and that seems to help too. My blueberries are almost a lost cause here.

[@thewilsons7267]

@@catalinacatg8861 Wishing you good luck with your plastic sheeting comparison! Straw can be a bit messy but here it really helps to insulate and also keep water in the soil instead of evaporating.

[@51rwyatt]

I think home gardeners should think about putting at least a good part of their beds on drip irrigation to save time and ensure even watering. The rest can be hand-watered, and that's good because it's important to regularly get out in the garden and inspect for issues anyway. Gardens don't work too well on autopilot.

[@rachelhall4808]

I am a relatively new gardener and I have found what you have said to be expressly true. I have struggled to fine tune my watering in order to get it right. My drip irrigation is an ongoing project that will never be finished to the point of auto pilot but has greatly reduced the headache/heartache of failure in the beginning of my journey.

[@samueljaramillo4221]

My garden is too far from a water source to put it on a drip irrigation system, so it all has to be done by hand watering.

[@51rwyatt]

@@samueljaramillo4221 Like if you can hand water you are close enough to drip irrigate, but OK :-) what are you walking from the Moon?

[@annapotter7397]

@@samueljaramillo4221 you can use soaker hoses. I just drag the hose and connect to the soaker set in that bed. I do have a timer on the spigot as I get busy and forget to turn it off. But if you can hand water, you can connect your hose up to either drip irrigation or soaker hose.

[@samueljaramillo4221]

@@51rwyatt my water source is about 150 feet from my garden. It’s easier to hand water the whole garden in 15-20 minutes than running a soaker hose for hours.

[@tommiecharcoal]

if buying an IBC try and get a black one, or if not paint a white one with bitumen paint, I thin this with a bit of white spirit and it's very quick and effective to paint. black ones prevent light and stop algy forming in the water, they look better too. cheers

[@GrowVeg]

Brilliant advice, thanks Tom.

[@suepowlesland8541]

I have found that old bamboo blinds make great shade covers. I place a panel of metal mesh (4" openings) over my bed like a hoop tunnel and drape a "matchstick" type bamboo blind over the top whenever we get a heat wave.

[@GrowVeg]

Brilliant improvisation Sue! :-)

[@MrsBadger]

Just the advice I was seeking. Thank you 🌱

[@glasgowbeck]

Thanks Ben, I learn something I can use in every single one of your videos. I keep a bucket in the shower to catch the cold water before it warms up enough to get it. When I wash dishes by hand I do the same with a big pasta pot in the sink. I let them cool and then into the garden. I also have a rain butt but could use a second. Luckily (?) in Scotland so far the summer it's been solidly wet every few days so those really thirsty potatoes haven't needed anything from me except grass clippings.

[@GrowVeg]

Full points for making every drop of water count Rebecca! :-)

[@nitelite78]

I really need to start doing this. I reckon there must be half a bucket full at least every time I shower.

[@wildernessisland2573]

If you let your treated water sit for a day before using it for watering, most of the chlorine should dissipate out of it

[@eileen386]

I use the round soaker hoses that put the water right where I need it. I burry it with grass clippings around the plants so the moisture stays longer

[@toniedalton5448]

Rain water off my roof in two of the large water containers. One for the horses and one for the garden. We rigged the end cap to fit a hose nipple with reducing pipe and a connector. Well off to water right now before church. Y’all have a blessed Sunday, and remember..the best fertilizer is prayer !

[@GrowVeg]

Brilliant Tonie - great to have natural water to hand like that.

[@Mary-rg2bv]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@lindaestoll1104]

Beautiful.

[@brianenck]

I even leave a couple garden buckets put when it rains. I'm always surprised how much you can get from that. Just make sure you cover it after the rain or use it. Cause bugs and critters love to get in there.

[@cosia5072]

Das ist eine gute Idee. Wir haben insgesamt 10 Regentonnen, aber dennoch macht es Sinn, noch mehr Regenwasser zu sammeln, denn bei uns ist es aktuell mit über 40°C sehr heiß und der Boden ist extrem trocken. Das mit den Eimern werde ich beim nächsten Regenschauer beherzigen 👋

[@timparola5120]

I plant my veggies in shallow (2" - 3" deep) trenches, fill the trenches with mulch and, when they need water, place my garden hose in the trench and fill it with water. Using a soaking hose in the trench also works well.

[@GrowVeg]

What is superb idea!

[@wingsandbeaksbirder2312]

Thank you sharing your excellent experience.

[@DistilledHealth]

Thank you my friend! Amazing info

[@edriessen6545]

Like the info and the humor!

[@lindabarcellos5643]

Ben, Lovely! Thnk you!!!

[@bluestar.8938]

Thank you Mr Ben : )

[@Avemarianow]

Thank you!🙏🏼♥️

[@thavylor]

Thank you.

[@Inpreesme]

Thank you

[@jojoceros1589]

Thanks for sharing

[@paul-oram]

no better way to start the day - straight into the garden, everything is fresh and at its best - theres always something new to discover, thats appeared over night - water, do a little weeding if necessary and breathe in the morning air ....

[@samueljaramillo4221]

Hello, I live in the southwest USA. Hot, dry, . I have six rain barrels to catch what little rain we might get. I’ve had to use shade cloth on my entire garden to keep it from cooking and drying up or needing watering twice a day. My garden is all in one area of my yard. So it’s easy to shade it. I water in the morning. My garden is doing a lot better with the shade cloth. It’s great to see your garden.

[@GrowVeg]

What a great setup you have - that shade cloth seems to be saving you a lot of extra work.

[@jennifergreen454]

Thank you! Your videos are the best!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Jennifer. :-)

[@dia_na369]

Thank you!!!! From a beginner gardener 😁🙏🏼

[@Violinna]

Thank you for this - this U.S. northeast heat wave (40°C) has been stressing my container tomatoes so much! I will try your method of also watering in a tray from below!

[@lisaj9545]

Morning and thanks!

[@yuji849]

Timing of this video is spot on as I too am "enjoying" the Oklahoma heat - about 20 days over 100 and counting. However, my garden wishes it was September/October And, no rain as we have had just .2 inches - 5mm in a month. Trying to stay ahead of the heat drying out the soil is becoming a daily checkup. I have a moisture gauge I use to check the soil moisture and water accordingly. Planning for second season is being impacted, and potentially delayed as the ground temp in my various beds is between 89 and 109 degrees, and today is one of our cooler days. ☀☀☀🥵😎 On the other side the heat is doing wonders for my cantaloupe and watermelon.

[@GrowVeg]

That's quite some heat Tom. Great that at least some of your plants are enjoying it! :-)

[@vandal_dk]

Thank you for these tips. Very helpful!

[@dawnfels7322]

I have two rain barrels that collect water from the house and garage. I could probably use another one. Together, they collect 110 gallons of water. I have miniature butterfly and button bushes beyond the reach of my hose, so these rain barrels come in handy for those and other beds.

[@GrowVeg]

It’s always worth having more rainwater storage if you can get it! 😀

[@valerieburkett2903]

Love this guy

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers Valerie - thanks for watching. :-)

[@charlotteoleary196]

I bought a moisture probe and it's revolutionised my watering! I do about a quarter of the watering I did as I didn't realise that just under the surface the soil was either moist or wet.

[@GrowVeg]

Great idea Charlotte. Great to be able to use water more efficiently (and save your time!).

[@slomo1716]

Thank you very much Ben, for the watering tips! Now you've inspired me to collect rainwater!

[@GrowVeg]

That's great to hear! :-)

[@carolavant3778]

Thank you for all the good information! I have about 3500 sq ft of garden here in North Florida, US. We have extremes of weather here, and from mid-June through September, cope with heat in the upper 90's and low 100's, periods of heavy rain and drought, unbelievable disease and pest pressure, mainly because it never gets cold enough, long enough to kills things off. It's a challenge, but we do have pretty much year 'round gardening. Many use weed fabric, which I've found to be expensive and tends to be an ideal environment for fire ants (fire ants come from the depth of Hell itself - they sting and cause painful, puss-filled blisters!). Mulch here pretty much harbors pests, but we do use pine needles and straw, if we can be assured of getting straw that hasn't been treated with Grazon. What works for me for watering? I use buried drip tape. My garden is divided into two Zones, and each Zone had 30 ft rows with buried drip tape. Depending on the crop, I plant either single (on top or beside the tape) or double (on either side of the tape), and can water in the most efficient way. The water goes directly to the roots, and has less evaporation, and it keeps weeds down because I'm not watering between the rows. Overhead watering here promotes disease, and the humidity here is very high. On outrageously hot days, however, I will run an overhead sprinkler just to cool plants down.

[@GrowVeg]

Great that you've buried your drip tape - that will make watering so much more effective. :-)

[@doreengreen3782]

This may have been mentioned. I didn’t get to all of the previous comments. I just added an RV water filter to my outdoor water spigot so I’m not subjecting my plants to the chlorinated city water. I also collect rain water in a barrel but I believe I live under an umbrella. I can see the rain clouds all around me but it often passes right by my house.

[@GrowVeg]

Hopefully you get more consistent rain in the winter? This is often the time to make hay and collect as much rainwater as possible.

[@jillwright8196]

Thanks so much Ben! I love your very helpful and fun videos and the garden planner is fantastic! Ive used it the past two years and its so easy!

[@GrowVeg]

That's wonderful to hear Jill. :-)

[@mwanatz5980]

Thank you ☺️

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for watching. :-)

[@debbierussell8920]

Straw going down tomorrow - another fab video -thank you

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Debbie.

[@ashleevandewater6087]

Thank you for sharing so much on your channel! My 5 year old and I have enjoyed watching the segments and using the techniques in our garden.

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased to hear that Ashlee - thank you to both of you for watching.

[@Jimsraisedbedgarden]

Thanks Ben 👍 , very interesting

[@lesleyharmer5698]

With a garden next to pasture, I grow a tall grass, Calamagrostis, as a screen. Cut it down in spring, and that's my mulch for courgettes and tomatoes! I think it's called a circular economy 😂😂

[@GrowVeg]

What a great idea! :-)

[@Ceretrea]

We're using left over woodshavings to mulch ours. It's handy as there's too much of it to just add it to our compost but, this way, it still ends up composting down. We can't install a water butt here on our rented house but when the shed goes in we'll be puttinv one on that!

[@GrowVeg]

Glad you'll be getting a butt in place - rainwater's much the best. :-)

[@RR-oh4og]

I am watching my favourite KZbin channel at 6.30 in the morning. Thanks for the tips. Really useful and timely.

[@GrowVeg]

Great stuff! Thanks for watching. :-)

[@kanhdahar2]

mulch mulch mulch. old leaves and old wood chips, with bits of leaves, brush wood makes a good mulch. Straw is good, but the wood chips and leaf matter is free for me.

[@scottadler]

You're in fine fettle today! (I also drink my morning coffee while watering.)

[@johnbernal3292]

Great tips, the one about water from underneath and the mulching are really going to help me.

[@GrowVeg]

Wonderful to hear John. :-)

[@RedNicole22]

I do the same as you. One time around and then again another round, to ensure the plants actually get some water without runoff. It makes a huge difference especially in grow bags.

[@AfterEarthHuman]

Shade cloth is great, you can also use trees for shade though. I've got 3 trees at the back of the yard and I use them to climatise my seedlings in summer. The seedlings get lots of indirect sunlight and the soil/potting mix stays moist for longer.

[@fredbrinker1820]

i have trees in a park behind my property and have to line my raise beds with plastic to try and keep the tree roots out.

[@GrowVeg]

Using natural shade like that is a great way to help plants make the transition.

[@nicola4789]

I have clay soil which turns into cement during a dry spell. I also garden on a very large area and a have a well. I have 2 rain barrels and also collect the water from my dehumidifier in the cellar. Good video. Thank you!

[@Chranos83]

one of my Neighbours has just started adding wool into the compost they make. i shall look into it myself. i have seen local garden centre starting to sell it as well. seems like a new popular trend.

[@ade-1772]

Another great video Ben fantastic tips

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much! :-)

[@mrwhitten7704]

I actually use a moisture meter for my grow bags as they tend to dry out faster than my raised beds. My yard has a slight slope, so one end of my raised beds tends to be more moist. So I'll use the moisture meter on that higher end to ensure everything is okay. I water in the morning when I'm off or teleworking from home and in the evenings when I must go into the office. I agree with some of the other comments, that weeding is easier with wet soil.

[@GrowVeg]

Sounds like you've got a good system there.

[@xxbaldycoupxx]

Who knew Harry Enfield was so into gardening, I was waiting for Paul Whitehouse to jump out of a bush......BRILLIANT!! 🤣 Seriously though, I really enjoy these tutorials and they are sooo beneficial when it comes to my own allotment. Looking forward to the next one chum 😁👍🙏 Got any tips for outside grape vines in the UK?

[@sharon1615]

Thank you I'm so bad at watering 🥰

[@JustinMentionedIt]

4:32 I do this when fertilizing, I lightly water everything so the fertilizer/food doesn’t get soaked up right there on top but goes deeper

[@GrowVeg]

Great move there Justin.

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi Ben, great video with lots of useful tips for watering. Thanks for sharing and take care 🙂

[@GrowVeg]

You're welcome Christine, thanks for watching. :-)

[@rosybiggs7661]

I use the drip irrigation system and it works well in Oklahoma! This year is another dust bowl year! It has been over 100 for the past two weeks and no rain for a month so far! Terri le!

[@GrowVeg]

Fingers crossed it rains for you soon.

[@wereachhomestead6348]

how long do you leave the water on for?

[@vickigonya9432]

I really enjoy your videos!

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you. :-)

[@StacySelah]

Thanks for all your posts… so helpful to me a new gardener 🌸… Shalom from Florida

[@GrowVeg]

You're very welcome - thanks for watching. :-)

[@patriciaserdahl5577]

Thanks Ben great information on watering Theres a big difference between container n ground gardening I've made these mistakes over watering Love your videos 😊 👍

[@claireskrine4837]

This will sound weird, but I've recently discovered aquarium gravel - very fine, a light colour reflects the sun (though white looks like you've dumped a load of salt on), and it goes some way to stopping the water running over the surface of the container and down the sides and straight out of the bottom. I'm using it on some of my window boxes.

[@GrowVeg]

There is a huge difference, you're right Patricia. @Claire Skrine - great idea to use the aquarium gravel. :-)

[@julianhuntly9622]

I use grass clippings on my raised beds, but I don´t dry them out. As long as you cover with at most an inch of green clippings, there do not appear to be any adverse effects. They dry out pretty quickly on the beds themselves and cut watering down considerably. I mow the lawn every 10 to 20 days and just top up the mulch. I live in N.W. Spain, Galicia and although this summer is pretty dry it probably rains as much here as it does in the UK.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for that Julian. Yes, spreading the clippings thinly and often seems to be the best way to use them, so they don't tangle up into a wet mat - not that that would be a problem this summer!

[@gardentours]

The next heatwave is coming so watering will be so important next week ☀️🌱💧💦

[@cherylhowker1792]

In South East England we have had very little rain for months...... I've gone through 600L of water vai the tap,in to water butts first so the chemicals can disperse. Plus when we have had had to use hose pipe to direct water. Rather not use that way as it can go everywhere. I would like to thank you Ben coz if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have managed to grow anything as never have before this year but are doing quite well this year. So thanks Ben. Keep it all coming to help everyone.

[@GrowVeg]

That's great to hear Cheryl - I'm so pleased you're managing to grow some good food this year. Keep up the good work also! :-)

[@cherylhowker1792]

@@GrowVeg we have started harvesting the start of the peas and runner beans,not meant on them as peas still small plants and the beens have gone berserk but not growing much,may get more. Have had 5,15L grow bags full of onions,haven't counted how many lol but lots and some shallots, also had the potatoes,not as big as I expected but will try again next year. Have got some in ATM that we are hoping to get some baby potatoes from,not expecting much,but they were shop brought ones that went mad and sprouted loads of chits so instead of binning em we said we would try to grow from em. Worth trying. Also brought a bargain box of seeds cheep so now trying beets, spinach beets, carrots the round ones. Really trying tgis year and I'm loving it.

[@Vampyronium]

I'm testing dug in clay pots and self-made Ollas build out of clay pots to hold some moisture close the plants. While the Ollas seem to work, I might have a leak on some O I need to improve this for next year. The clay pots (hole sealed with bees wax) is holding water well and with pot coasters on the top it's not evaporating. Ollas seem to work better because it goes for down into the soil while some plants with clay pots are still struggling.

[@GrowVeg]

Very clever improvisation there. :-)

[@nicolerince]

No mosquitos today!! We had 4 days of rain in our whole season. Nov to Apr. Nicole in Menlo Park Calif USA

[@TwoMarshmallows1]

Another helpful, cheerful and relaxing video! Thank you so much. You have such a beautiful garden. I love to see it thriving. My idea is not so much for watering but for preventing evaporation: I planted a bedding plant (lobelia) around my container cucumbers. The lobelia covers the soil around the cucumbers and seems to be doing a good job of preventing the containers from drying out too quickly. I actually did this because I grew lobelia from seed and had more plants than I did containers! But it seems to be working really well. I also invested in a water catchers/plates for each container. That's also made a huge difference with both preventing water loss and making sure plants soak up their weekly feed.

[@GrowVeg]

What a colourful ground cover the lobelia must make. :-)

[@TwoMarshmallows1]

@@GrowVeg Thank you, it is! And the pollinators love it. I hope you and your family are doing well in this awful heat!