5 Watering Mistakes You're Probably Making

Watering. One of the most fundamental tasks in the vegetable garden, and also one of the the tasks that new gardeners have the most problems with. In this gardening for beginners guide, we'll take a look at how to water your plants the right way, as well as cover 5 SUPER common mistakes.

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The video has a Spanish dub by Unilingo.

DISCLAIMER

[pamelaforman]

I've been gardening since I was 10 - I'm 64 now. I come from a long line of gardeners, studied horticulture at the college level and am a certified Master Gardener. I feel confident in saying YOU have the best information and excellent delivery of your information - thank you!

[Aaron_Scissorhands]

I swear, after going through probably 50-80 different videos on gardening, it seems like this guy is speaking directly to me and answering all of the questions I have that no one else was answering. When I get through watching his videos I'm going to be a Master Gardener, I know it!

[milimommi.]

I’m a new gardener, never even had houseplants before. Now I’m starting a container vegetable garden in my yard and I LOVE your videos. You give great information, you get straight to the point and it’s so easy to understand and apply your teachings. Thank you.

[dank]

Between you and Mark from self sufficient, I've learned so much. Best two channels on YouTube. Thank you.

[Iloveyounot]

0:35 1. Wrong time
2:53 2. Watering over the top
5:01 3. over/under water
9:33 4. watering at the same time
12:42 5. Not using mulch

[ruthroberts]

I'm watching your video for the 2nd time cuz you are really clear. I have been a gardener for 50 years and have run into every garden problem imaginable. for the last 20 years i have been gardening in the high desert of New Mexico. A of today, June 26th we haven't had any rain since the last little snow in April. watering is the most important thing here. Thanks for all the good pointers. And pray for rain.

[chrisshirley]

Hi, Kevin. YouTube recently suggested you to me and I'm glad it did. Of course I am now a subscriber. I'm a 59 year old organic gardening nut with almost no experience but with years of intensive study. I must say I love your teaching style. Despite my over-a-decade's-worth of study (mostly from reading and a horticulture class I took in college), I learn things from every one of your videos. I believe that teaching is the most noble calling. You are a great teacher, Kevin. Thank you for sharing with us all.

[corvusveritas]

Crazy! I live in San Diego and have totally walked passed your garden. No joke, I remember walking by while on a construction project and thinking, “Now, that’s a decent garden!” Thanks for the watering advice, neighbor.

[bethanyschwanke]

My 9 year old and I started a container garden this year, and oh man, he constantly worries about his “babies”, and we have to constantly keep him from overwatering! This will be a great explanation video to show him (and I needed it too!) thanks!

[andreawimer]

I use that " water, wait, rewater" with my houseplants. It helps to keep water from running through the pot too fast. Great info. Thanks.

[donaldp]

You mentioned Ray Padula products. I once had one of their garden hoses for 3 years and it failed, just from a lot of everyday use/sun/weather. I always save receipts...this hose had like a 5 year guarantee. I contacted them with a copy of my receipt, and they immediately replace my hose at no charge without any questions. I always buy their products now.

[stick]

I’m starting community school garden and your channel has helped me and my team out so much. Before I watched your videos, I knew nothing about gardening, and now I’m teaching others about gardening. Thank you so much!! I love your videos! Keep educating and inspiring!

[GrannyEarth]

I’m 63 & and an avid gardener. I am the Garden gal at Home Depot & watering plants in the Southwest is the most important aspect of gardening success…. Especially in summer…And SHADE!! I too water early morning with coffee, feed birds.. or after DARK so no dangerous water drops on leaves…Thanks for the information!!!

[ninersnerd]

I started using mulch this year up in super hot, dry Northern California, and it has been SUCH a game changer.

[joepublic]

I'm totally digging the long watering wand. I live in Louisiana where the spiders think I grow the plants for them. They keep bugs off but they also jump at me if I get to close. Can't lean in and water them. I've been watering them like rain. The plants like it ok but I don't like doing it because it smushes the little sprouts into the dirt, and it can burn the leaves if the sun is to bright and it always is here. I've watered during the day and the water just became magnified droplets of death for the leaves. Definitely going to have to get a wand.

[carlbertram]

Hey, not really commenting a lot, but i have to say, i like your channel.
I'm a gardener myself, and i already know a lot of what your talking about, but i think you're a really fine guy, and i really like your style of presentation.
Gardeners never know everything about their business, although they sometimes act like they do.
I'm more into landscaping, but love vegetable gardening, and i learned a lot from you, so, thank you.
What came to my mind watching this vid, is watering seedlings. I use a spray bottle for that. That way, you can give your little babies just the right amount of water at exactly the spot they need it. keep on gardening, it's one of the most important things a person can do.

[createcultivate]

You have no idea how helpful this video is, I've been looking for a detailed explanation on watering for so long. Thank you thank you thank you!!

[debbiecurtis]

I like the analogy of a dry sponge. If a kitchen sponge is really dry and you run it under a steam of water, most of the water just runs off because it is slightly hydrophobic. So, as Kevin said, water a little, give it time to soak in &open up and be receptive to absorbing the next watering.
For$10-15 you can buy a water & pH combo meter for house plants (which I realized I needed cuz, yes, I over watered too many of them) So now, when I water I carry around a little bucket with my meter & a few tools and before I water, I use the meter instead of my finger, cuz it can go deeper and test different levels in the soil then sometimes, especially when the weather changes, I check again AFTER watering to see if I watered enough. and since Im Spending a few extra minutes at many of the plants, I have my bucket & tools to take care of weeds, trimming, harvesting, etc.
Soon I hope to have 96% of my plants automatically watered with drip or sprinklers.

[vickihoffman]

I’m a master gardener who was surprised to learn that a drip hose and a soaker hose are not the same!! Obviously, I’ve been watering by hand for many years. Thank you for your clear, short informational messages.

[PBarrPrince]

I'm an Over-Watering Addict. Lol. Thank you for your video. Some things I KNEW but don't PRACTICE. Like actually putting my fingers into the soil to check it. Succulents are my main victims. Poor things are loved to death. I'm actually getting better now. Yesterday I took more time with each area and plant to see what, if anything, it needed. Turns out they're all just fine without my interference sometimes. Less work....you'd think I'd realize that on my own. Thanks again!