You shouldn’t set a hard and fast schedule for watering plants. Think of it this way: if you water your plants every Sunday, but it rained on Saturday, there’s no reason to give more water to plants already sitting in wet soil. Even if you have a drip irrigation system, you’d be wise to have a timer that can detect if it is raining. There are several caveats to factor in, but you should find a good balance if you follow a few simple guidelines for finding the right amount to water. A good rule of thumb for watering plants is to check the top inch of the soil: if it’s wet, no need to water. If it’s dry, time for a drink! Water during the early morning when you’ll lose less moisture due to evaporation during the heat of the day.
The Weather
If it rains, you might not need to water. However, it needs to be a good soaking rain, not just a sudden shower. And if the soil was hard and dry before the rain, it probably ran off before enough of it soaked in. Check at least the top inch of soil to see if it’s moist. Other weather factors to consider are sunshine, heat, and wind. The soil will lose less moisture if the sky is overcast, but on sunny hot days, the soil can bake. Mulching under the plants will help keep the soil cooler and hold in moisture longer. The wind is an often-overlooked element, but it can desiccate leaves and even dry the soil. Plants in windy locations, including on rooftops and near roads, may need more water than plants in sheltered locations.
Soil Quality
Sandy soil drains quickly. You could get a downpour in the morning, and the soil will be dry by the afternoon. Conversely, clay soil holds onto moisture and should not be watered again until it has sufficiently drained. However, overly dry clay will take a while to begin absorbing water. The initial water will roll off, like watering a brick. You’ll need to soak hard clay before water will penetrate. The way to improve both sandy and clay soil is to incorporate lots of organic matter, such as compost, leaf mold, or well-rotted manure. Organic matter lightens clay soil and helps sand retain moisture long enough for plant roots to access it. But organic matter continues decomposing in the soil and is used up by the organisms that live there, so this is not a one-time fix. You will need to continually amend your soil with it, every year. The best time to do this is before you plant your annuals or when you are swapping out spring and summer annuals for a fall garden. Add up to a 4-inch layer of organic matter to the surface and turn it in or simply let it get worked into the soil when you dig holes for the plants.
Beds vs. Containers
Any plant grown in a container will dry out quickly, and annuals, with their shallow roots, will need water pretty much every day. Again, check the top inch of soil. If it feels dry to the touch, water. With container-grown annuals, you may need to water more than once a day in the extreme heat of summer. Mulch, even in a container, can make an appreciable difference in water retention. Annuals planted in flower beds may not need as much water as those in containers. That, of course, depends on how well-drained the soil is and how much competition for water they are receiving from other nearby plants. Newly planted annuals will need extra water as they become established, but once they are growing and flowering, you may be able to get by with watering once or twice a week. It all depends on the other considerations.
Specific Plant Needs
Finally, how much you’ll have to water depends on the plants you choose. Drought-tolerant annuals, such as zinnia, marigolds, and cleome, will require minimal watering; once a week will probably be fine. Others, such as snapdragons, alyssum, and impatiens need regular water, or they will suffer stress. Your plants will be the best indicator of when to water and whether you are giving them enough to drink. When annuals don’t get enough water, they can start to look pale or dull, and they are quick to wilt. If they are wilting during the day and reviving at night, you can be pretty certain that they need more water during the heat of the day, more mulch or a shadier spot. Unfortunately, the signs of over-watering are similar to under-watering; pale leaves and wilting. You’ll be able to determine which it is by pushing your finger into the soil and checking to see if it is soggy or bone dry. The water needs of your annuals vary with the weather and the seasons, and you must make adjustments accordingly.
