Watering a container garden is necessary for growth and good harvest. But how often and how much? It depends on several factors.
Temperature affects how quickly water evaporates from the soil and container walls, so hotter days might require more frequent watering than cooler ones.
Wind speed can also determine the amount of water needed, as wind will dry out soils faster.
Soil type is another factor to consider: sandy or loamy soils tend to dry out fast, while heavy clay holds more water and drains slowly.
Finally, size matters: larger containers are deeper, so they’ll hold moisture longer than smaller ones.
A good rule of thumb is that when the top inch of soil has dried out, it’s time to water again. Some plants—particularly those with shallow roots—need water daily; others need more infrequent application every couple of days or every few days.
Water deeply until it just starts to pass through the drainage holes. Check the weight of containers before they get watered; once you get familiar with their weight when dry versus wet, you’ll be able to judge accurately if they need watering again soon or not yet for a little while longer.