By Brett Tannehill, Alabama Public Radio
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wual/local-wual-483860.mp3
APR's Gardening Series -- Watering
Tuscaloosa, AL – The weather may be getting a bit cooler, but that doesn't mean your yard and flower beds won't still need to be watered. But as we learn in this week's installment of our Monday morning gardening series continues ... there's a right and a wrong way to keep those plants happy. Brett Tannehill reports.
Horticulturist Crescent Smith is giving a good soaking to table full of plants at the University of Alabama Arboretum. Smith says the air has been very dry lately, and the weather forecast this week calls for more of the same.
"I'm actually having to water a bit more than usual because the humidity was so high all summer that I didn't have to water as much as I do right now. And I'm trying to get out here and water before the hottest part of the day."
Morning is the best time to water. Afternoon watering can leave droplets of water that act as prisms, allowing the sunlight to burn brown spots on the leaves. If you must water past noon, avoid getting the leaves wet. Smith also says she doesn't water close to sunset to prevent mold from growing overnight. Among the items that Smith is watering are three trays full of seedlings. She says seedlings need extra care.
"You don't want them to dry all the way out and you don't want to blast them with water or you'll knock their little selves over and they'll get trapped in the soil. You basically don't want to water their leaves and water the soil. It definitely a good time to start seeds .. lettuce, mustards, chard and your winter vegetables. I've got some pansies going from seed right now."
A great way to see if your pots and hanging baskets need watering is to pick them up. If they are light, they likely need water. Plants in the ground don't need to be watered as frequently. Overwatering can cause irreversible root damage ... just like overfertilizing.
Next week, we'll look at tips for fertilizing ... as our outdoor gardening series continues.
For the Alabama Report, I'm Brett Tannehill.