How much water is enough for your potted plants?

Be sure that you have enough rain to stop watering plants. Here are some implications if you jump too fast to just turn it off:

1. Are some pots under cover where they do not get rain? If you turn off the irrigation, they will dry out pretty quickly.
2. A deluge of 15 minutes of rain will not deeply soak your pots. Check to see how wet they are 6-8" into the soil for annuals and 10-16" down for perennials, shrubs and trees.
3. Your pots of flowers are getting daily watering. One day of good rain means you might be able to take a break for one day - not beyond that.

Be Mindful! Check your pots!!
 Keep in mind other Monsoon Cautions:

• Dump standing water to reduce mosquito populations.
• Anchor pots to reduce the risk of tipping over in high winds.
• The same goes for all furniture and patio belongs.
• Heed monsoon warnings and travel safely!

 

How Large is Large?

In the world of pots that is! With Tucson’s desert climate, the smallest suggested size for a potted garden in the sun begins at 18 inches. I add to this recommendation that the measurement is the interior diameter of the pot.  To give your plants a fair chance at survival, they need enough soil to hold moisture and insulate them from the heat.

Too often I speak with people looking for help with what to plant in their pots and when I ask what size they are, they say they are very large. I ask them to define that and the answer is 16 or 18”. In my world of potted designs, this is a small to medium pot.

How large is large? Try this on for size:

16-18” Medium

20-23” Large

24-28” Extra Large and so on.

The biggest pot you can put in the space is the one you want!! The bigger the better in the desert!

Become a Fan of The Contained Gardener on Facebook!
Have a question? Just email Marylee!