Water isn’t just essential for you when you’re out getting exercise on a hot day. Water is also necessary when you plant tomato from seed. People often overlook the watering aspect of gardening, but you do so at your own peril. Your precious tomato plants need the right amount of water, and if Mother Nature won’t provide it for them, then it’s your job.
Why is water so important?
The majority of a tomato plant is water. You might not be surprised that a juicy tomato is mostly made up of water, but so is the rest of the plant. Tomatoes are thirsty plants, and you must do your very best to ensure they stay hydrated. If you don’t, you’ll have some sickly-looking tomatoes on your hands.
When should you start watering your tomato seeds?
The short answer is that you should water your tomato seeds as soon as you come up with dirt after putting them in the hole. Yes, you need to water your tomato seeds right away, or they’ll never germinate. Well, that’s not entirely true; if your tomato seeds are lucky and it rains, then they’ll get a much-needed drink. If no miracle rain showers come down from the sky, then your tomato seeds are out of luck without your help.
The best time to water is early in the morning
If you rise early, your tomato plants will thank you. The best time to water your tomato plants from seed is first thing in the morning. You want to water your tomatoes long before the clock strikes noon.
If you water your tomatoes in the evening, the soggy, wet soil can cause fungal diseases to develop. The moisture lingers on the leaves and soil surface throughout the night, creating an ideal environment for mold and mildew. You never want to invite mold or mildew to your tomato-growing party because they will cause headaches later on.
Should you hand water or use drip irrigation?
The answer to this question more than likely depends on your budget and where you’re located. The best method is drip irrigation because it gets right to the roots. Your thirsty tomato plants will appreciate the consistency of the water you deliver to them.
Not everyone can afford drip irrigation or live in an area where they can use it. Hand watering still works, which people have been doing for thousands of years. Sure, it’s difficult on the back, but the exercise is great for you. So, if you’re short on cash or need to get rid of a little belly fat, hand-watering your tomato plants is a fantastic idea.
How to monitor the level of moisture in the soil
There are two ways of monitoring the moisture level in your soil, and it couldn’t be simpler. The first method is just to stick your finger in the soil and see how wet it is. You don’t need to be a genius to determine whether your soil is dry.
A soil moisture meter can do the trick if you do not like to get your fingers dirty. The meter will tell you if the soil is too wet or too dry. Should you go out and buy a soil moisture meter? Not really, unless you’re really bad at telling how dry something is when you stick your finger in it.
The last word
Okay, so you probably never thought this much about watering your tomato plants. You can’t rely on the wet stuff from the sky to ensure your tomato plants have enough water. You must also pay close attention to how much water your tomatoes are getting. It doesn’t matter if you start your tomatoes from seed or use tomato plants; they still need plenty of water to ensure they don’t get thirsty.
