Understanding how often to water herbs comes with practice. It is something that every experienced gardener has struggled with in the past. This article will give you the knowledge to know when it is time to water and when you should wait.
Watering your herbs is very important to get right. Too much water and there is a risk of root rot, seedlings can experience damping off, you can deal with mould or algae, and pests tend to become a bigger issue.
Too little water and your plants will not be able to grow or take up nutrients, they will wilt, and you will have no fresh herbs to harvest. All that being said – the good news is that herbs are pretty resilient. Even if you make a mistake, there is usually time to correct it and have your herbs bounce back.
It is very common for new gardeners to think they under watered. So, they water more, when in fact the problem was too much water to begin with. Then, things just get worse. Ask me how I know – haha. It isn’t entirely the new gardener’s fault. Because, just to add to the confusion – under watering and over watering your herbs can have the same physical appearance in your plant.
There are so many factors that go into deciding when to water your herbs. And, if you do come up with an answer, it will change over time. But, do not despair! I will go over all the different scenarios and the best way to move forward when it comes to watering your herbs.
Once you master how often to water herbs, your whole gardening experience will become much better and more relaxing. No more guessing – yay.
The Rule of Thumb for How Often to Water Your Herbs
As a general rule, they say you should water herbs about 1-2 times per week. I know it is asked a lot if herbs should be watered every day, and to that I would say no. The only time I have watered my herbs every day is if they are in a small pots, outside, and we are getting very hot weather.
When thinking about how often to water herbs, you should answer this by observing your plant and the soil it is in, and not by a specified time. I think it is important to schedule a time that you consistently check your herbs to see if they need water. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will water that day.
An easy way to know if you should water is if the top inch of soil is dry. You can test this by putting one finger down into the soil about an inch and feeling for moisture. Another sign is if your plant leaves lose colour, just don’t look as lush, and start to wilt. The next indicator that you should water is if the soil surface looks lighter in colour.
When growing herbs in pots, you can pick it up to test the water level. If it is light, then it needs water. If there is still some weight to it, you can wait.
The most precise way to check the moisture level is by using a moisture meter. I have never had one of these – I have just learned through trial and error.
There are many factors that can affect how often to water herbs. Your herbs can tell you a lot if you are attentive and notice the subtle changes. Now let’s dive in deeper and look at all the other considerations when deciding to water your herbs.
Factors Affecting Your Herb Watering Routine
Herbs need more water when they are in the prime growing season and producing new leaves in the summer. If your herbs are outside in cold temperatures during the winter months, they will go dormant and do not need any additional water from you. If your herbs are indoors in the winter they still need water, but may be happier with a little less.
Another factor affecting your container herb watering routine is the type of pot you use. For example, plastic pots will hold a lot more moisture than terracotta or clay pots. Fabric grow bags can dry out very fast and are actually kind of difficult to keep the moisture levels consistent.
Your pot size will really affect how often you need to water herbs. If you grow your herbs in a smaller pot you will need to water more often than if you grow your herbs in a larger pot. This is because there is more soil available in the larger pot so it takes more time to dry out.
This are all things you should consider when choosing pots for growing herbs on a balcony for example.
The type of soil you chose will affect how often you should water herbs. You want to chose a soil type that is well-draining but also holds moisture. It is a funny thing to say, but it really is the best option. For container herbs I always go with “vegetable and herb promix”. For in ground gardening I like to use a good quality compost that is rich in organic matter.
If you have mulch such as wood chips or pebbles in your herb garden beds or herb containers then you will need to water less frequently. Mulch is a great way to conserve water.
Something else that I like to do in my garden is what is called “intensive planting”. This is where I plant my herbs much closer together so they form their own “living mulch”. It shades out the soil which really helps with water retention and suppresses weeds to some extent.
If you are growing your herbs in direct sunlight you will need to water more often than herbs grown in the shade.
Which Herbs Require More Water?
Different herbs will have different needs when it comes to watering. Some herbs that require more water are: basil, parsley, mint, chives, and lemon grass. These moisture-loving herbs are fast growing which means they will need more nutrients. They get these nutrients through the water they drink up. To keep these herbs the happiest be sure to plant them in a rich, moist soil.
A lot of woody stem type herbs are more drought tolerant and actually like to dry out a bit in between regular watering. This works well as it mimics the herbs native soil and environment. This would include, lavender, rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage, savory.
Another thing to consider is the size of your herb plant. Little baby herb seedlings will require a lot less frequent watering than a mature herb plant. If you are starting with herb seeds you will continually increase the water that you give them as they continue to put on new growth. They start to take up the water faster as the root systems expands.
It is always important to make sure you are providing herbs with their preferred levels of water. Some herbs will be happy to go without water for a little longer, while others will be happy to live in wetter soil. In some ways this can be helpful, but in other ways it makes the whole “how often to water herbs” question a little more difficult to answer.
How Often to Water Herbs Indoors vs. Outdoors
The main factor when thinking about watering indoor herbs versus outdoors is the weather. If you live in a damp and cool environment you will need to water a lot less often than if you live in a place with very dry weather. I really love to use a rain gauge so that I know how much water my plants have been getting. They say your garden should generally get about one inch of water per week to be happy.
It is one thing to come home from work and say “oh everything looks wet, it must have rained”. But with a rain gauge you know exactly how much your garden got which can help you to determine when to water.
Also, I think they look super cute. I chose this rain gauge because I like the look of it and it is made out of metal and glass. You can either mount it on a fence, or use the spike to stick in the garden.
You may also want to think about where you are growing your herbs indoors. If they are in a hot, sunny windowsill they will need more water than if they are in an area that is a little cooler with less light.
How Often to Water Herbs in Pots vs. In the Ground
Generally you will need to water herbs more often in pots than herbs planted in the ground. This is because there is only so much soil in a pot to hold the moisture. You never want to leave your herbs sitting in excess water so it is important to have a well-draining soil, and drainage holes in the bottom of your container.
When growing herbs in the ground you don’t need to worry about the proper drainage as much, but still be sure to use a good quality compost that isn’t too heavy. To test if you should water, you can still test by putting a finger down into the soil to check for moisture. Watch the plant signs, and soil appearance.
Techniques to Make the Most of Watering Your Herbs
I find it best to water my herbs a little less often, but a little heavier when I do water. When herbs get enough water it will encourage the roots to grow downward and not spread across the surface. This will be very beneficial if you experience any drought conditions, and help to anchor your plant.
Another tip to conserve water is that you only need to water at the base of the plant. It is not necessary to water the entire soil surface around the plant, or the leaves.
I find it best to water either early in the morning or in the evening so the plants have the most time to take up the water before the heat of the day. Many people will tell you it is bad to get water on the leaves of your outdoor plants during the day as the sunlight will burn them. I have not had this happen. If you think about a mid-day rain shower and then the sun comes back out right after – the plants are all fine.
In the end, no matter if you are growing your herbs indoors, outdoors, in the ground, or in a pot – the criteria to access when to water is the same. Don’t forget to pin this for later, so you can refer to it the next time you are trying to decide if you should water your herbs.
Until next time!
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