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PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 6:33 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 10:34 pm
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Location: Dallas,TEXAS
I'm wondering if I'm the only one with this problem.

When I water my plants, the water looks like it is soaking right in.
When I poke my finger into the soil, it is dry as a bone 1/2" down or so.
I have different soils located at different locations - some is soil that I got in bulk (i.e Rose soil, Compost, some of the other bulk types), other plants are planted in bagged soils (Kow Power, Rose soil etc).

I also have my beds mulched with Cedar mulch or Christmas tree mulch (i.e. free from Dallas).

So, the roots aren't really getting watered, even though I stand there for a long time hand watering.

I'm at my wits end trying to figure out why this is happening.


Can some of you check what is happening with your watering and report back ?


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 Post subject: Watering
PostPosted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 6:40 am 
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Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
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Location: Hubbard,TEXAS
If you're hand watering all the time, you may think it's a long time, but have you tried letting the water slowly run/drip for several hours. Because all your different soils are acting the same way, this is the only thing I can come up with. But some of the experts may have a better theory.

Good Luck,

Pat A


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PostPosted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 6:17 am 
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Location: Odenville,Alabama
Here in the central Alabama area we are experiencing a major drought. I've been giving all my vegetables and flowers, a mercy hand watering of a little faucet water, at least every 2-3 days in order to keep them alive.

I've noticed that if I use a very, very diluted aerobic compost tea brewed soil drench every 2-3 days, instead of just faucet water, they seem to survive better and not wilt as fast, even during drought seasons.

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The entire Kingdom of God can be totally explained as an Organic Garden (Mark 4:26)
William Cureton


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PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 3:57 pm 
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Location: Dallas,TEXAS
thanks for the replies, Pat and CaptainCompost..

I have been recently foliar spraying with Garrett Juice and using Corn meal juice on my roses, and I definately can see a difference.
I will be starting to use Compost tea shortly from here on out for sure.
I've been reading up on the invaluable use of compost and compost tea in enabling the micro organisms to break down the nutrients etc in the soil to make it available to the plants and can't wait to see the results from here on out.

What I'm really interested in for people who are reading this is, is to pay attention the next time that they water and go poke their finger into the soil and see if it is getting to the roots like they think it is, or is it bone dry like mine.

I would really like to know what the difference is in their soil, mulching, etc if the water drains well for them.
The reason is that I have bought just about all my soil in bulk and wonder if that was bad, or maybe I should try other techniques in order to not have the soil repel the water.


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PostPosted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 11:56 am 
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Location: Southeast Dallas County/Balch Springs ,TEXAS
Have you prepared the soil by adding a good amount of compost? Sounds like the ol' dry sponge effect that often happens with clay soil or old hard potting soils. The water runs off and over instead of soaking in. You may try taking a garden fork and carefully aerating the areas around the roots of the plants and then adding a mix of compost and lava sand with a gentle organic fertilizer. Even the expanded shale holds moisture and adds spaces or porosity to the clay soils which can block out water.

Someone once described clay soil's composite as a can full of pennies - flat and interlocking. Not much water can get through - or air or anything else. The foliar feeding is excellent, too - especially in this drought and these high, high temps.

Not sure what kind of watering tool you are using, but I've found nothing better than the DRAMM watering wand for effective and fast watering. It is the kind most of your pros use in nurseries and growing operations.

Good luck - and help keep everything evenly moist with mulch, too.


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PostPosted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:36 pm 
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thanks Eden's -
yep, that is what is happening. The water just beads up and rolls off like a duck in water. I mainly built up my beds with bulk soil. I didn't buy the more expensive soil mix, but more their mid to lower end. Sounds like I still have to go one step further and amend it before planting. The soil ingredient description sure sounded good though. Sad to think I still have to amend it further after spending all that money.
I did use a root fertilizer watering tool (3ft T shaped that you hook up the hose to) and stuck it in the ground all around the plant, aerating and squirting water in each hole to make sure the roots and surrounding soil was watered. I believe it worked fairly well, but was very time consuming.
I use a simple old style soft watering wand (sort of shaped like a 'Y'), but I will definately look up the DRAMM.
I have lately been using a small sprinkler turned on low and letting it run on/around the plants for awhile and it finally seems to soak in ok.

Thanks for the amendment suggestions, I'll work on it. Maybe by next year it'll be much better.
I always enjoy different types of input and suggestions...


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