DENVER — Hurry up and finish planting. It's not too late to plant heat-loving crops and flowers. Tomatoes, for example, originated in Central America and they love it hot. Other plants from tropical or subtropical regions--peppers, eggplant, squash, basil and beans--also thrive when temperatures soar. They need enough water to do that.
So many people ask me, "How often should I water?" The answer is when the plants are dry. Get a moisture meter! They cost about ten dollars. By inserting the meter in the soil, you can easily see if your plant's roots are dry. Don't leave the meter in the ground; use it only for checking.
It's best to water in the morning or evening. I prefer evening so that plants have all night to hydrate.
Many people assume a wilted plant needs water. That's not necessarily true. Plants can wilt if it's hot to conserve energy. They may perk back up when it cools down in the evening. If you had a moisture meter, you'd know.
Plants need more than water. They need food. I fertilize container plants about every ten days. I also fertilize vegetables as required with a fertilizer formulated for them.
One more thought on watering: a watering schedule is stupid. It doesn't take the weather--heat, wind, humidity--into account. You'll likely be wasting water.
When you do water, make sure you water thoroughly so the moisture sinks well into the ground. Frequent, short bursts of water are ineffective and likely damaging. Because the water doesn't penetrate deeply, the roots stay right near the surface and the plants, especially lawns, can burn. Trees in the middle of lawns never get enough water this way and are more easily stressed. Water thoroughly and less frequently and you'll save water and grow healthier plants.
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