Keep watering, even if they go down early

[Chris_W]

Although our drought might reach an official end after tonight, I just wanted to mention that during these times of drought it is still important to water things, especially if they look like they are going to start going dormant. When the hostas have used up that last speck of water and the leaves shrivel up, the crown down below can be in even worse shape. But during warm weather those roots still want to grow, so keep watering until it actually cools off.

A good example here were some baby Love Pat tissue cultures. Love Pat is one of those hostas that really only sends out one flush of foliage a season. About a month ago they dried out so badly that all the leaves turned crispy. I knew they weren't going to send out any more foliage, but I also knew that with 90+ degree weather I better keep watering them. Last night we planted them and they were root bound in 2" pots, with tons of recent new root growth. They are also showing new buds for next season

So don't give up on those early dormant plants completely. They are still active down below while it is warm out, with even more potential the hotter it is

And hopefully we will all see some great fall rains soon

[Noreaster]

I'm forcing myself to keep up with the water, even though some things look lousy. When do you typically stop watering for the year?

[Patrushka]

Thanks Chris! Some of mine look absolutely horrible.

I'll keep watering now that I'm home but not today because It has literally been raining all day.

[jobranch]

Thanks Chris for the tip. Several of my hostas have started to turn brown due to lack of rain. I watered this AM and will water some more over the weekend. Got to do better next year.

[Diana]

I've noticed over the last few years, that the first ones up, are the first ones to decline. They all get plenty of water, and still some of those leaves that appeared last March/April are getting crispy around the edges, with an orange line as in fall color. I've had to re-pot from 1 gallon cans to 2 gallon cans, all the hostas that I got from Hallson's this Spring. This morning I find that there are ROOTS trying to sneak out of the bottoms of those cans. Some don't have any more than the first flush of leaves, but those roots are going gangbusters. So YES, even though things appear to be declining above ground, there a LOT going on underground building for next year. Great advice Chris!

-Diana

[Chris_W]

I'm forcing myself to keep up with the water, even though some things look lousy. When do you typically stop watering for the year?

Hi,

I start to slow down as it gets colder, and stop completely after the first frost. I learned years ago that hostas simply don't grow any new roots once the soil gets cold, so they really don't need extra water after that time.

And so much for the rain Gustav came through and brought us on and off sprinkles. We could literally watch the rain evaporate on the radar as it came near us, with showers coming and going all around us. As another storm would approach it would dry up right over us, then restart just past us. Very frustrating

[LucyGoose]

Thanks Chris!

Like Pat said, it rained here all day yesterday.....NICE......5 inches in the rain gauge this morning!

[ladyblue]

Thanks Chris, I always wondered how long they should be watered. It sure has been a dry summer!
Bonnie

[FreakyCola]

Hi Chris,
Exactly how much & how often do you water? I mentioned I try to water every 2 or 3 days and someone told me I was making the garden dependent on that & it wouldn't do well. I've done it this way at least 10 years & the garden seems to be doing pretty well, so I'm thinking whoever told me that doesn't know what they're talking about. However, since they raised the water bill, I'm wondering if I can get by with fewer waterings.

I do water the plants in pots every day (well, I try real hard to!)

Does anyone have soaker hoses? I never know how long to leave them on. Usually I go for an hour, does that seem right?

Aren't you supposed to water the heck out of hostas before fall or they won't increase very much next year?
Thanks, Ellen

[Chris_W]

Hi Ellen,

In our growing areas I think everything is getting watered about 1 to 2 times a week, but we run the sprinklers for about 5 to 6 hours (or more) in each spot since that's how long it takes for the water to soak down deeply in our soil, and then it takes several days to dry out. Making sure the water gets deep into the soil is the important part. Watering really deeply once or twice a week is going to encourage better roots, and then the hostas should be able to go longer on their own.

So the next time you water, dig down afterward and see how far the water made it into the soil. You should be able to feel moisture down several inches (or further than you can dig with your fingers). If only the surface is wet then it is just keeping the soil from drying out more and not really doing much to water them.

And I do agree that the more you can water now going into the fall the better, but after the foliage dies off you don't need to worry about them, just hope for some occasional fall rains and lots of snow