Good Morning Gardeners!

I went home to find that although there were few signs of over watering in my garden...there is definitely a lack of sunshine.

The only casualty we have suffered is a loos of our musk melon more commonly know as a Cantaloupe Melon. It's poor little stem just rotted away..just like this ones did..

You can see the wilting discoloured part and this is a sure sign of a problem!

As it turns out we were a little hasty in planting our melon buddy as he would be much happier in warmer conditions..

Upon doing some research about tips on how to recover from over watering I found that the biggest factor in determining a plant's watering needs is the soil that contains the plant.

If we all had perfect loamy soils it would only take one answer but many gardeners have clay soils which take water in slowly and lose it slowly while gardeners here in WA have sandy soils. These sandy soils receive the water quickly but unfortunately lose it just as fast.

Another factor is evaporation. In the winter months when evaporation is low (and rainfalls are usually higher - unless you live in the tropics) the watering needs of your plants are less. In summer your plants will need increased watering.

Also, Try grouping your plants with the same watering needs. Don't put exotic annuals together with native shrubs or vice versa. We plant our squashes (zucchini, pumpkin, buttercup, summer) together with our cucumber as they have the same watering needs. Broccoli, Cauliflower and Brussel Sprouts are another good grouping. We also like using companion plants to enhance the growing environment and keep pests at bay in a particular bed or around certain plants. I will devote a whole post to this topic as it has proved very fun and useful for us at the Lake House!

These Marigolds have been planted near the cucumbers to attract the pests. Marigolds are wonderful as bugs love them and they add a burst of colour!!

If you have been over watering your plants, the only way to save them is to cease watering until the soil has begun drying out. If the plant is in a container try moving it to a sunnier, drier location. If the plant is in a garden bed and the bed is constantly getting too wet, you may need to raise it so that the water can seep through rather than sit.

The golden rule in watering is only water when your plants need it and then water them thoroughly.



Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful garden filled weekend!

- Elizabeth

Rain Rain Go Away

While the garden looks fabulous and things are certainly growing, there has been NO sunshine!!

The weather here in Vancouver is just the pits! Check out the forecast - follow the link

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-74_metric_e.html

This turn of weather has caused me to research the effects of too much water on a veggie garden and how to spot sings of trouble.

Here is what I found out:

While it's important for vegetable plants to receive enough water for proper growth and to produce a good crop, too much water can weaken and even kill them. Some of the signs of an over-watered garden can look deceptively like the signs of one that hasn't received enough water. If you monitor your garden closely, and are aware of the symptoms of over-watering, you'll be able to avoid problems.

Wilting
Wilting is typically associated with not enough water, or extreme temperature changes, but is also a sign of a plant whose roots are struggling in wet soil. You might notice that the leaves are wilted, but in severe situations, the entire plant may look wilted and withered. Wilt from over-watering results from plant roots that are unable to receive oxygen from the soil. This causes plant suffocation.

Mold
An over-watered vegetable garden might turn moldy. If you see mold or moss growing on the surface of the soil, or mold growing on your plants, chances are that you are giving your vegetable garden too much water.

Yellowing or Spotted Leaves
When a vegetable garden is over-watered, plant leaves may fall off after turning light green or yellow, or they may become yellow or mottled. Weak, spindly growth also can occur.

Rotting Stems or Roots
If you notice stems or roots that are soft and rotten, this is a good sign that a vegetable garden has too much water in the soil.

Wet Soil
A very clear sign that your vegetable garden is getting too much water is wet or soggy soil. Many vegetables--tomatoes for example--like to have their roots in soil that is consistently moist. But your vegetable garden should never be wet or soggy.

I am going to check my little guys out this afternoon and see if there is any signs of water damage. I will follow this post with another focused on how to deal with water damage and how to minimise loss.

Thanks for stopping by,

Elizabeth