Summer Watering - Sudden Plant Death Season

Summer Watering - Sudden Plant Death Season - In this video we talk about watering during the summertime. This is another area of gardening that improves with soil improvement in time.
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[@geraldhenderson8519]

Almost everything I know about gardening I've learned from HortTube, and I must say this is probably one of the most informative and timely videos in the 5 years I've been watching.

[@sunsickokra218]

Very timely and much appreciated video. I've planted 30 shrubs in various site conditions this spring and feel like I spend 2 hours each morning checking and watering them individually. Hoping it gets easier next year if I can keep everything alive. We only got half an inch of rain last night 😓

[@Chuckbobuck201]

Same. Hours on days when we haven’t had rain for newly planted shrubs.

[@alanerpington5698]

I could tell just looking at the radar that it was gonna be a super spotty storm, with some places getting lots and some getting only a little. I'm lucky, got about 1.3 inches.

[@shellymcguire3206]

Your timing is perfect! Not only am I grieving a shrub that seemed perfectly fine two days ago, but I am also contending with voles wreaking havoc in my beds! I have always struggled with watering since I have plants with the same sun but different watering requirements living side-by-side in the same bed. The only solution I have found is hand watering to avoid accidentally drowning the drought lovers and underwatering those who need consistent moisture. Thank you for anticipating precisely what we needed today!

[@cathiechaffin5469]

This video is a great example of how you are teaching your followers. Thanks for the timely lesson in watering!

[@HoosierDaddy_]

I've learned the most about gardening by killing plants. Every plant I've killed has been from overwatering, or water not getting to the plant due to soil compaction in a pot on a few. I've learned now to back off until later on the day, or check the soil a few inches down like Jim said. Even after getting pretty good at this over the last few years following Jim's teaching, I still make mistakes occasionally. I just lost a butterfly milkweed that was temporarily in my waiting room garden. It got surrounded by tall, water loving plants that shaded it out and it also got too much water. So I hope nobody feels too bad when struggling with watering issues. It can be tricky!

[@nnll2ncg140]

I've been following your channel for about 5 years now. I have sandy soils in the hottest climate of NC. Near Wilmington. I also let wood chips break down naturally over the last 2.5 years and my soil not only absorbs water but it will also hold just enough to be wet and even a but cool. I have a large Japanese Maple collection in the ground. The trees are doing great even with the little rain we have had. I do add a health amount of Black Kow compost when i plant trees but thats it. I have learned a lot from your channel. Thank you for what you do.

[@squidikka]

I got so tired of watering in the Texas heat and wasting water with the spray hose that I just put everything on an automated slow, deep drip irrigation system. Best thing I ever did for my garden as well as potted plants. My back thanks me, my plants thank me, and I'm a lot less worried in the crazy summers we get here. Switched my front lawn sprinklers to water saving rainbirds and it's been fantastic.

[@gardengal26]

I agree with all that you said. I’ve figured it out from experience. I’m in southern NJ where it’s hot and humid and I often water at night just because of convenience as well as helping them spring back overnight. Every year is a learning experience as I add new plants, but my established ones do well overall, like you mentioned. Thanks for all your info as it reinforces what I’ve been doing in my own garden.😊

[@parsley7894]

One of the most educational watering/drought stress videos I’ve seen on KZbin. Great information Jim. Thanks.

[@amandaterry875]

This is so incredibly helpful! I'm 3 years into gardening and have been getting really frustrated with how hard it is to figure out watering, and how unhelpful so many articles seem to be. This detailed explanation of alllll the things that can impact a plant's water needs makes me feel so much better. From a chronic panic waterer, thank you!!

[@gracefulgrowing144]

I grew up in louisiana and now live in Indiana, and we always watered in the evening down there, and I still do that now. To this day, it makes a big difference.

[@jenn3644]

So helpful, I am one who runs to grab the hose when I see wilt. I needed to hear this. Thank you so much :)

[@Antarctica2025]

You are so real!!!! We must live in our gardens every day and observe. So many parameters and they are all essential. Thanks for the reality check.

[@barbarawall6349]

Very much appreciate this video, I’m 70 years old and love to garden. We never stop learning!

[@sherifarris3497]

My most dramatic plants are my impatiens. They want me to think they are melting. Lol. This info is very helpful to me as a new gardener. If I ended up watering at night I felt like I was doing something wrong.

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

Impatiens have learned that act from cats!

[@vernellevale2226]

Thanks Jim for this video. I garden in the Southwest (Las Vegas NV Zone 9a) and the sun burns my plants every year. I’ve found that not removing the burned areas will keep the sun from burning up more green area. Then in the fall (post-August), I will cut off all the burned areas.

[@heidicliniteembermaypop6831]

Like you said, it’s best to water in the evening, because it has time to absorb the water instead of loosing the water via evaporation in the heat of the day if you water in the morning.

[@kendycruz7389]

Not a bad gardener! Nice to hear that! I'm a 3-4 yr gardener. And oh man everything is dying right now lol. It's been 110+ everyday and night this week we hit 118 and it's about 90 at 7am! So Def hard to keep plants alive . It's always a learning process.

[@jameshmoore1071]

This is an incredibly important gardening task…One of your BEST teaching moments, Yard Man! 😉👍

[@kathrynmettelka7216]

Down the road from you in Greenville, SC, we are quite dry. After doing the finger test this morning, I watered and added more mulch to part of the garden and will do the same to the rest of the garden by installments because I’m over 75 with arthritis. It’s my 2nd year in this garden, which had been neglected by previous homeowners. Compost and mulch are my guiding principles because I was taught that the 1st duty of every gardener to improve the soil.

[@Prettykittychimi]

Wow. Just when I thought I knew everything about watering turns out I don’t. It didn’t even cross my mind to get a sprinkler. Duh. I didn’t know plants grow at night, that solves the when to water debate enough for me. The short yellow lime plants look amazing with the big purple bush! Thanks for your wealth of knowledge!

[@donnajoy6951]

Unbelievable Jim- seeing is believing! Don’t go to bed hungry- perhaps the same concept- I work so in the evening makes sense to me 😊 ❤ thanks Jim.

[@bethsatterfield9499]

Thanks so much for this video. Such good information. I’ve been struggling with my irrigation system because of many different conditions in my garden. I’ve turned it off now and only water the zones that need it along with more hand watering. Your videos are so informative for those of us in zones 7b-8a which is the mixture in upstate South Carolina, Greenville County. You are appreciated by this gardener.

[@nadia_rem8511]

I am not a morning person. I found out that watering in the late evening and saturating both soil and the leaves are an excellent way to water for me in Z8 MD. I think it was you that mentioned that overhead irrigation is not as problematic as people think. It doesnt magnify the sun and burn leaves, nor does it create fungal issues if air circulation is adequate. In fact, ive discovered i can keep powdery mildew in check by sufficently watering during drought at both the base of the plant and showering the tops of the plants. Making the soil receptive first in poor soil areas is an excellent point. As is the point of watering slowly. I was frustrated with the beds being dry every day so i removed my spray nozzle and just let my hose pour fast and quickly moved it through the garden. It was inefficient, and the next day, most areas needed water again. However, i have set up a soaker hose in my veg raised bed and ive found it to be inadequate. If i turn on my pressure on low and let it slow trickle, i must go 3 hours for good saturation. If i increase pressure, the soaker hose does a superficial watering, and the soil is dry again in short order. Will try setting up drip irrigation. Is it more effective than soaker hoses?

[@Leekle2ManE]

A note on the failures: Sometimes a failure isn't a plant species, but the plant itself. I purchased 5 Silver Buttonwoods this past February (Florida, 9b) and they were planted in a copse fashion. All receive the same light, water and drainage. From late March to June, we got very little rain, a lot of sun and a fair amount of heat. Even though they all got supplementary hand watering during this time, one of them really struggled and eventually gave up. The other four are doing just fine. Something about that one plant made it less able to handle the stress of drought and heat.

[@bonniejackson7476]

Thanks Jim. This can be a very challenging issue especially during our drought conditions in zone 8a NC.

[@sandyutter9370]

I’ve been gardening for many years, decades, and have just bought a moisture meter. Inexpensive but what a great little tool. I now know which plants to provide more water and which ones to leave so they don’t drown or get root rot. It is the handiest little device. I don’t know why I didn’t buy one sooner. I did a complete makeover of my back garden beds last year and added a bunch of new shrubs and perennials this year to finish it up, so keeping everything happy is a must. That’s a lot of time and money spent and I don’t want to have it be wasted. I appreciate all the tips I get from watching your channel. Thank you.

[@bohnnco]

I have a big 7 year old caryopteris that is half dead as well - very similar decline. I think we are getting less rain in Chapel Hill than Raleigh. I have so much to keep alive that I am letting the annuals and definitely the remaining turf die. Parts of my garden look like mid-August or September already, even with drip. Leaves dropping from stressed tulip poplars make it look like early fall. It all has me dreaming of a chilly rainy October day.

[@scribblydoodle2924]

Same here. Zone 7B in Georgia. My tulip popular looks likewise.

[@saraexler9940]

I’m having a hard time with my new conifers! I’m so used to reading my perennials and deciduous trees when they give me signs they look thirsty, but the conifer looks fine until it’s dead. I’m learning, but it’s a process!🌲

[@mplslawnguy3389]

It all comes down to knowing your land and how your soil reacts to different conditions. We are having a wet year, but we're coming off of 3 summers of drought. It can be challenging, but give your established plantings some credit, especially shrubs and trees. You don't want to go a month without giving them anything, but they can go some time without water. These last 3 years I would probably deeply water my trees 2 times a month, to keep them alive. My shrubs, I water a little more, and my perennials a little more. Vegetables/annuals, probably every 2-3 days, containers, everyday. Keep in mind, this is my schedule in hot, drought conditions. This year, I hardly have to water anything. The vegetable garden, annuals and containers get a little supplemental water, but in a normal year, watering isn't a big concern for me.

[@marionallen2222]

8:45 yes! I just switched from sprinklers to soaker hoses! I know it’s gonna work better for me … the sprinkler wastes so much water

[@kaval1er]

Love the new patio and how it makes the garden look! The surrounding area looks amazing.

[@sandrahudson4333]

Thank you for this video. Over in Texas, zone 9a, and with rocky clay soil. A lot of watering videos coming out on this platform but none of them touched on the details you did. Thank you for your style of education and keep up the great work. You're changing people's gardens.

[@renebyers6153]

Wow. This video came just in time for me. I was panic watering.

[@donnajoy6951]

100 degrees in North Texas - learning year over year-

[@8helenjhouston8]

We learn more from the plants we can’t keep alive than the ones we do- great point Jim! Unfortunately I’m learning a few lessons from this really dry June 😢

[@julesdavis1845]

Thank you. This information is so timely and helpful.

[@gardeninggrandma5247]

Jim, you are a wealth of information! Everyone should see this video. It is so helpful and instructional for new and old gardeners like me! I feel better about dealing with drought conditions now. Thank you!

[@joannc147]

Timely video indeed! Here I was, concentrating water on my veg & spring-planted perennials and then, oh no, ‘Ruby Falls’ Ceris, pagoda styrax, pineapple guava, kousa dogwood and some other well-established and cherished ornamentals began to fail! I’ve taken to drenching them in order to save the root systems. I’ve become lax in maintaining my mulches….and it shows. I’m south of Raleigh with sandy soil and ugh…let’s call it a “learning lesson”. Created a Garden Journal for myself and I’ve just completed my “June Debriefing”. I see some weaknesses here in my gardens which are quite fixable. Note that quite a few of our shrubs are able to handle a drought…albeit in alarming fashion such as near-total leaf loss. The crabgrass tho? That weed is growing in Great Condition. 🤣

[@taylorswf23]

I was sick two weeks before an international vacation so I’ve been dreading coming home (no one watered in our absence). We looked around last night and shockingly I don’t think we lost anything! 😮 it looks like the moles went bananas in the flower beds but nothing died. One azalea lost interior leaves but the fresh growth looks ok.

[@colleensmith3374]

Japanese maples are tough… zone 6b here & thought we lost it over the last 20 years.. Today, used mulch, never gave up & it’s lookin best it’s ever had!! Less tree more beautiful shaped bush.

[@deeleo2495]

Great video Jim! We are in 8a (north Ga). This spring (around Mother's Day) we removed some older bushes and replaced with other flowering shrubs. Then 2 weeks ago we planted perennials in a new area. I have been really focused on keeping everything alive and so far it's going pretty well with one exception - an encore azalea. It is struggling so badly but I'm not giving up on it yet. I have had a tendency to overwater so I'm having to be very careful. Most of my plants are drought tolerant and I'm really glad that is the case. Our yard is almost all sun and the afternoons can be brutal.

[@user-tw7nl5lt9o]

GREAT video Jim!! Thank you so much! You did a excellent job explaining all that and I agree with you on evening watering. Again great video one of your best and Thanks again!!

[@cyhomer]

When I was a kid, I remember my dad standing on the porch waiting for the rain, and he’d always be so glad when it was a ‘nice, soft rain’… pretty smart guy…

[@alanerpington5698]

Had a couple young trees take some deer antler damage back around Christmas. The branches in the middle were stripped but the top and bottom parts seemed to be doing OK and put on new growth this spring. But then we hit this stretch of hot & dry weather, and then the tops died on them. :( The bottom parts still seem to be doing OK for now, hopefully they can maybe eventually regrow some!

[@levans3447]

I learn something new every day about gardening . I was a brown thumb but now i can see it is getting so much better ! Thanks for this video !

[@lizstroud6531]

Thank you for the info regarding the Hydrangea wilting every afternoon. I live in Swannanoa and planted a big leaf Hydrangea and I thought I wasn't watering it enough. I will now see how it is later in the day because it is very hot during the day.

[@esthersnell2357]

Good video! Dry as a bone here middle Ga. 8b I’ve been keeping the bird bath clean & full. Little parched ones 🦜

[@Shannondougha]

In denial gardener here.😊 I deal with compacted clay soil and I’ve tried to amend it through the past 3 years but it’s still difficult to work with. I’ve managed to keep the 6 lavender plants I planted alive and looking good by not watering them as much. I know you’d probably tell me that lavender doesn’t like clay soil but I’m stubborn and wanted to try because of how much pollinators love it. Unfortunately, half of all of the plants within the last couple weeks are just dying and I think my failure is really ignoring the fact that the plants don’t love clay soil. In hindsight, it could have been me not watering as much or that the roots sat in wet soil too long when we did get rain. I’ve just learned that it’s good to try new things but sometimes you have to accept things for how they are and choose the right plants for your soil type.

[@rnguyen2516]

My lavender was doing well in spring but completely scorched in summer (Texas 8B). It’s so frustrating to know what they want 😂.

[@harriettpavonrosado5175]

I do more container planting.

[@sandrahudson4333]

Same soil, I switched to Russian Sage and Salvia to get my fix.

[@katiekane5247]

I chose a spot where gravel had been rolling off the driveway for years and tried two types. Good luck!

[@rnguyen2516]

@@sandrahudson4333 I have to say, Russian sage and salvia attract way more pollinators in my garden and are way easier to handle. They want nothing and perform so beautifully!

[@elizabethupchurch5295]

Great new thoughts about watering, Jim-thank you!

[@sterlgirlceline]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌿🌳💚

[@dia9491]

I needed this video. I got home from Raleigh and the ground was so dry in the neighborhood everything was struggling. My neighbor told me yesterday that watering wasn’t helping her garden. She’s a master gardener and that shocked me. Her garden always looks amazing. I’m installing a soaker hose temporarily to combat the dry heat. We got rain for three days and it’s just so dry still. We usually get a lot of summer rain in SE TN so this is unusual to say the least.

[@francestaylor9156]

8:30 - yep. My raised beds had become hydrophobic so I had to initially water very slowly. I'd fill up the area around the plant and then let it slowly drain down. I did this a few times with each plant. And I had to do this over a few days everyday. Then I was able to count to 30 and the water would get a little puddled but would then soak down. Now after watering everyday at the same time to the count of 30 each time, the water just soaks down into the soil as soon as I turn the water on. No pools of water, everything soaks in immediately. If you have hydrophobic soil, it's more about consistency and working to get the soil used to the water to get it back to taking water on again.

[@francesjones7156]

Supper informative! Thanks Jim

[@Flower_hoarder]

💚SO HELPFUL‼️ 💚

[@sarahheffernan5176]

Great information for all situations, thanks for taking the time to talk about different conditions and not just your own. I’ve had a few sudden death situations in the last few weeks ,I now understand why

[@annetteshaver1821]

Thank you Jim. That was excellent information on watering 💦 plants. Also good to know about “sudden death season “ and why plants may have expired. Bravo 👏

[@thomasnoble1816]

We have a lot of newly planted shrubs and small trees. You made the point about afternoon wilting in a previous video- which caused me to concentrate on watering the things that were wilting in the morning. Unfortunately, we have only been getting small rainfall amounts lately so I expect to have to keep busy in the near term.

[@deannaking2585]

Can't wait to hear about how you will deal with the sandy soil on your new project. I'm on the FL panhandle coast and welcome your guidance.

[@carlaephotography7096]

This is the most informative class on watering I have ever seen! Thank you! I have a mixed garden and the explanations you shared on how to water the established vs. the new was great. Thank you very much! 🎉❤

[@TamaraLMJ62]

I really needed to see this video! I have been struggling in the heat and drought here in Alabama. Great advice. Thank you!

[@christinasanders2742]

Right there with you...I'm in North Alabama. We were supposed to get rain yesterday and we got zero.

[@TamaraLMJ62]

Northwest Alabama here. Oppressive this summer. Good luck to you. It's been a hard year, with the winter and now drought.

[@southernsun9890]

Omg you have wind 😂 the first time I see some wind in your videos xxx

[@timgarner1957]

Very informative...you just gotta know your plant and soil! I've got one limelight I think it's getting to much sun..again you gotta figure out your plant and needs Thanks for sharing

[@GardeningWithMaples]

Great video. Thank you for all of the helpful information!

[@jenniferolson7296]

Timely video for me in Arkansas zone 7b. Always thought morning watering was best but I like your point that the humidity keeps leaves wet at night so why put the garden to bed yearning for moisture! I think your channel is the best for everyday practical information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!🤩

[@maureenb1109]

Thank you so much for this video I never knew whether I was over watering or under watering it’s hard when you haven’t had much or no rain in awhile and have to do it all by hand love your videos and advice 😊🌸

[@marybeth4002]

Great video focusing exclusively on watering - thumbs up! Thanks for the evening watering tip. I also know that I 'panic' water and that is why my beautiful and new Lincoln Ithoh yellow peony is on its way to becoming history. I'm sad because it was the most beautiful peony, ever. But.... I learned something from it.

[@HoustonKeith72]

This is a great video. I feel like every day I’m trying to figure out what my plants need right now in Houston where we’ve been in the mid to upper 90s.

[@SMElder-iy6fl]

Thanks for this information. I am trying to learn how to water in heavy clay soils during our third year of drought.

[@josweatt898]

Jim, I thought I lost a Caryopteris a few years back from either the early hard frost or the late frost forget which. It was gone, then the roots underneath started pushing up a year later. Now it is half it's size but blooming! Hope yours makes it. A favorite of the native bees here in MS 8a.

[@santahampton]

Gardening in San Antonio, TX Zone 9A and have 2 slopes in backyard, so TY for a much-needed watering video!

[@tallen3549]

I'm over near Jordan Lake/New Hope Trail with a huge variety of plants/trees, and very little knowledge! Bought a property a few years ago that's like a botanical garden the old owner had created. Trying to keep things alive! Great to see content from the Raleigh area.

[@sreykimsear]

What I do is when I wake up in the morning before the sun rises and I water my plants in the soil not the plants directly. Then if I know it's super hot...I will do it again when the sun is down about 7 pm. Now if it rains, I don't water at all.

[@justinwarren7643]

Great video topic and liked the demostration of soil condition after the rains in the garden vs side lot

[@elsiemari]

Very informative and helpful, especially addressing how to water based on soil type. When I began gardening, I was so worried about root rot that I definitely killed several plants by fearing watering too much. I live in a hot dry climate with sandy soil, and it took me a few seasons to figure out how to water (and improve soil), but it has made a huge difference. 😄

[@David-wc5wr]

Bananas conserve water by folding the leaf.... Better to see a little drought stress than water damage

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thanks Jim. 🌺💚🙃 Your information for me was badly needed, thanks again ! 🌺💚🙃

[@jimblair7724]

Hey it works ! thank you

[@Terry-lh8cn]

I watch a lot of gardening channels. How nice to stumble on one local to me! Definitely have been "panic watering". Will be more careful!

[@jeanniecollier6763]

Jim, the best video ever on watering!! Thank you!!

[@marilynmourdock3688]

I almost killed a newly planted hydrangea because the soil level settled an inch after I watered it and the root ball was exposed. Moisture wicked out of it and it was almost dead overnight. I trimmed it back, covered the exposed root ball, mulched, it and now it is leafing out again.

[@HolisticHealthatHome]

Incredibly helpful video. Thanks Jim! Absolutely love your videos and have learned so much!

[@annwoleben5439]

As usual, most helpful. Thank you!

[@sheilaberry9837]

So very helpful, thank you!

[@cherfromtn8225]

I have sloped land in part of my yard in zone 6a Tennessee. I find it helps if I build a berm around my plants--where I have a flat place all around the plant so that water will stay long enough to soak in. Otherwise the wayer is just running down the slope. I expand this berm as needed ir add new soil, then mulch over this.

[@scheduledrest4316]

Great advice about watering, thanks!

[@rima717nc]

Very helpful information! Thank you!

[@msmaddox2918]

I have been having such a big issue with spider mites this year! We had hot and dry temperatures for almost 2 weeks, which is very unusual here since we are usually very humid. I think it just created the perfect condition for spider mites to thrive. 😢

[@susieeguez2148]

Thank you for this watering information! Very helpful.

[@investinyourself5468]

This was incredibly valuable information. Thank you!

[@rosset4music]

Good tips. Thank you.

[@moiragriffin8298]

Thank you so muchbfor this topic I will be rewashing as it was a lot if good points you made. I was out watering fir 2 hours last night and as soon as I came inside, the glorious rain arrived here in Cary.

[@sarajanemiller8482]

Hello Jim and Stephanie. Thank you so much for this video! I’m not sure if I’m not a little more confused, but I have to say you must be mind readers. This week and next our temps are projected to be 104-112! WHAT?! So I’ll be watering early and late but checking the plants first! Thanks!

[@juliabinford6500]

Very helpful thought process about watering. Thank you!

[@TheMarisela1986]

I absolutely admire your knowledge and understanding. Thank you, thank you!

[@Freedom38814]

Great video Jim!~

[@Rougebasque]

great info! thank you

[@trishferrer8209]

Thank You So Much for this video!! You covered a lot, and I learned a lot! 8a, W. TN.

[@traci_c]

I learned so much from this! Thank you so much! Really enjoy your channel.

[@jetv1471]

Jim , Here in 7aNJ .. have lost so many things that I have started flagging them for “ rescue “ : I dig them up and put them in the “nursery” which is in some shade and near the hose . It’s more like an infirmary then a nursery now 😂

[@jeansandhoodiegardengal2975]

Very good video……here in Ks 3am and it’s 81° right now….no rain and extreme winds and heat 🥵 We’ve been in drought for several years.