Watering Your Annual Flowers

Although some flowers will tolerate moderate periods of dry weather, others must have a continuous supply of water. Flowering of most annuals will slow or stop during extended hot, dry summer weather. To minimize the need for watering, select drought-tolerant annuals such as globe amaranths, blue blaze, Dahlberg daisy, gazania, gomphrena, portulaca, and creeping zinnia.

Variety differences can require you to alter your watering procedures based on particular varieties that are sensitive to either too much or too little water. Remember, when planning your garden, inquire what plants in your landscape are sensitive to either extreme.

Any well trained horticulturalist - or a knowledgable person working at your local garden center -  will be able to inform you as to what plants you are choosing are sensitive to excessive or inadequate water supply. Local knowledge is very inportant to choosing the right flowers for your garden.

Many home gardeners often get confused and alter their watering procedures based on rainfall expectations or occurrences. If rainfall persist for a long period throughout the day and is slow and consistent, then it probably will provide adequate rainfall for deep watering.

Quick rainfall or hard thundershowers often do not provide adequate watering for deep saturation, so don't be alter your watering procedures too much from quick fast rains.

Supplemental irrigation will probably be required at some point during the growing season. Soil type as well as growth stage and temperature influence watering frequency. Bedding plants grown in a clay soil that has been properly watered may need to be watered only once a week.

Soil conditions can also have variances affecting watering procedures. Hopefully, most planting conditions promote highly organic soils combined with that of well drained attributes.  If so, frequent watering can be accepted, but poorly drained soils and heavier clay conditions can sometimes promote excessive moisture.

In general, remember that too much water means too little oxygen and air flow. Oxygen contents in the soil is necessary for proper root development and performance. Always attempt to start with adequate soil preparation to ensure proper drainage, but when not possible, adjust watering procedures to ensure proper drying conditions between water applications.

Bedding plants grown in a sandy soil may have to be watered several times a week. This will vary with the time of year, amount of sunlight or shade, plant growth, and other environmental factors.

Most plants need 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, but may require more when flowering or when exposed to high temperatures or windy conditions. Moisten the entire bed thoroughly, but do not water so heavily that the soil becomes soggy. After watering, allow the soil to dry moderately before watering again.

A soaker hose is excellent for watering flowerbeds. Water seeps directly into the soil without waste and without wetting leaves and flowers. The slow-moving water does not disturb the soil or reduce its capacity to absorb water.

Sprinklers wet the flowers and foliage and make them more susceptible to diseases. The impact of water drops falling on the surface may change soil structure and cause it to puddle or crust, preventing free entry of water and air.

The least effective method for watering is with a hand-held nozzle. Watering with a nozzle has all the disadvantages of watering with a sprinkler. In addition, gardeners seldom are patient enough to do a thorough job of watering with a nozzle so they do not apply enough water and do not distribute it evenly over the bed.

It is recommended to water your annuals in the early morning hours before excessive heat arrives in the afternoon. Avoid watering late in the evening and ensure watering in later afternoon allows thorough drying of the foliage before nightfall.

Remember, excessive under or over watering is most common during the early development of annuals since their root systems are young and sensitive to extremes of either drying or continually wet conditions.