Getting Your Watering Schedule Right

More plants die from overwatering than underwatering — here's how to avoid it.

Check soil moisture before watering, not the calendar

Sticking a finger an inch or two into the soil tells you more than a fixed schedule — water when it's dry at that depth, not on a rigid timer.

Morning watering is generally best

Watering in the early morning reduces evaporation loss and gives foliage time to dry before evening, which helps prevent fungal issues.

Deep, infrequent watering beats frequent shallow watering

Watering deeply but less often encourages roots to grow downward and become more resilient, compared to frequent shallow watering that keeps roots near the surface.

Container plants need more frequent attention

Because they hold less soil, containers dry out faster than in-ground beds and often need daily checking during hot weather.

Signs you've gotten it wrong

Yellowing leaves with soggy soil suggests overwatering; crispy, wilting leaves with dry soil suggest underwatering — both are fixable once identified correctly.