Christie’s Blog

Late October 2024

Right Now In the Richmond Area

You Need to Water your Plants

I would like to get very specific in this warm October. You need to water! This lovely Indian summer we are getting can be really tough on plants if they don’t get any water.

Most of us have irrigation systems which have already been winterized and turned off.  Others of us have no irrigation system at all. Whether you do or don’t, you need to water anything that has been planted since June. Newly planted plants as far back as Spring can struggle when it gets dry for weeks, even though the calendar says it’s time for plants to go dormant.  Newly growing root systems through the first year of being planted need to be babied.

How  can you tell if a plant needs water? Stick your finger in the dirt next to it. If you feel the dirt is  damp, don’t water. If you are not sure, wait a day. If it’s dry, give the plant a drink. The bigger the plant the more water it needs to saturate the root system.  Just water enough to get the root ball wet. Do it at least once maybe twice a week if temperatures stay warm.

It is still a great time to plant and split perennials. Just be sure the plant does not dry out.  If you see a perennial turning yellow or brown it could be because it is going dormant. Water it anyway if its been planted in the last 3 months.

Evergreens drink all year around so you always need to keep your eye on them if there is prolonged dryness.

It doesn’t matter what you use . A watering can, sprinkler, a hose or a tree bag for larger plants are all great.  Try to water in the morning if you can.

Once temperatures regularly get to the 50’s or even 60’s you don’t have to worry as much but keep checking.

If you think a plant may be dead like my Daphne below, don’t pull it out just yet. Try cutting it back (or don’t) and start watering. Maybe it will come back in the spring.

Good luck and Happy Halloween!

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.