I always try to water in the morning. Love watering and drinking my coffee.

Good stuff, I bury my containers so they don't dry out fast. I leaf mulch my fruit bushes very thick. Recognizing why your fruit or veggie plants stress will raise your garden IQ.

Yet another brill vid Huw.. I am in my third season here, a very important point is the water temperature, its far better to store water in an IBC or similar vessel than use Mains tap water or as I used to do, pull it up from a well, where it was bloody freezing. Water from an above ground storage vessel is superb temperature especially for germination and young plants. TC

Thanks for the tip about using the plank to help germination. I'm going to try that and check out James Prigioni's channel as well. Thanks for the watering insights.

Thanks for another great video - I always learn something and find it to be very relaxing. I so agree that 'The Gardening Channel with James Prigioni' is excellent too. I found your online Abundance Academy course to be inspiring and worthwhile. Looking forward to purchasing your books soon :) What you and Liz Zorab are doing is massively important. Cheers!

Your tip about watering in the A.M. as opposed to the P.M. is a good one! I've always tended to water in the evenings because I like to be outside in the cool of the evening, but I see now that it's better to do it in the mornings so to avoid making an inviting night time environment for slugs.

Some great watering life-hacks there 🌱

The basin around the plants is one that China's gardeners employ, especially in the north which is so much drier. Thank you for the straightforward and clear instructions. I noticed in another video you spoke of how the hay method doesn't work so well in Britain. I started to try this method last year and we did quite well at first, even with a mass onslaught of slugs. Combating them as much as possible with hydrogen peroxide, which is good for plants too, and salt in the right places. We had a problem with them getting into the house, so I started putting salt around the back doorstep as I put down layers of sand and stones to try and drain some of the excess water flowing down towards it.

I'm a James Prigioni student, too!! :) Bless your heart, you're very kind in mentioning other sites/channels

It is great how you refer to other sources. It benefits us all. This video about watering is very good. One of the reasons that drip watering works best is because the plants have moisture available for a longer period. Plants cannot take all water at once, it is a continuous chemical process (just like we need time to digest our food). Preventing evaporation is also important for the same reasons. Watering is almost an art, I still have to learn all tricks. This year I did not water my tomatoes except for late planted tomato seedling for late harvest (new try). It was astonishing to see that I have a good harvest without watering. One can also plant them close together and only allow a maximum of 3 groupings per plant. Kind of mini tree approach, you plant them close together, they make smaller leaves and still have sufficient fruit. Top them off early. I will try this approach for tomatoes next year again. It allowed me to put tomatoes everywhere around the borders. Quite amazing. They also indirectly benefit from watering other seedlings.

If William Riker could see you rn, he'd be jealous af. :) You look so amazing with that goatee omg!

Great video! I used to do the basin method with every single plant and tree when I was living in the desert part of Texas. Now I live in the other side of Texas in the woody swamps. Here I have to dig a small ditch around the garden to keep it from flooding often.

This video seemed so well timed! This morning I went outside and noticed that seedlings were popping up right under where a wood plank had fallen on to them and were not existent yet for the seeds out in the open. I'm off to go put some more wood planks on my seeds! Thanks for the tip and connecting what I noticed this morning to an aha moment.

Using the plank method does work great but there are other variations that work as well. If you are concerned about being able to keep check on seedling growth and worry about them getting squashed then put your planks BETWEEN your rows and lay a large cardboard square over the whole thing. Hold with rocks or bricks to prevent blowing away. Or place a third board on top of two other boards. Same effect and extra room for seedlings to sprout. Especially good for seeds with long germination times. Another thing I do is leave the planks in place between rows after - makes a great mulch/water conservation and really NO weeds will survive there. If you want add fertilizer or amendments just lift the board and work it in. An easy way to start small seeds between boards by leveling ground, place boards, sow seeds, add appropriate amount of soil, water and just leave the boards in place Some seedlings I transfer when thinning, works best when small, (not root crops, lettuce and cabbage work great) space in another row and build a tepee/tent with two boards leaning against each other, support with sticks, pegs, brick or whatever for a few days to protect from sun and conserve moisture until rerooted. Pallet wood makes great boards to leave in place, thin, cheap and reusable.too. Don't know what the slug effect would be, not much of a problem here.

You are absolutely amazing and full of alot of awesome tips. THANK YOU 🙌🏾 💚

You're right Huw, those tiny germinated leeks look great! What a great idea!

These are great gardening tips/reminders for new & veteran gardeners!! I appreciate your very nice presentation - thank you!

Good compilation! Heres some.more Tipps for cotainers: Keep plastic-botlles , make some little stitches in the lower area, with a strong needle or an old pair of compasses or sharpen an old Screwdriver and when putting the plants into the pot, just bury them next to them. Later when u watering the pots also open the fastening and fill it up to the top, then close the clasp. The osmotic pressure soaks the water out of it, all the more when the substratum is beginning to try out. Thats why the little stitches shouldnt be too big... Also u can cut the bottom of the bottle , bury the bottle upside down without the clasp and put some loamy earth in the opening. Close the top with the cutted bottom with the bottom side downwards for lower evaporation. There are more possibilities if combining the ideas of those two methods! I enjoyed ur videos ! Good time Be sleeky like water my friends!

Yess!! Thank you - trying to teach my brother and he isn't listening so hopefully he will watch the video and learn - super tips!

Thanks for the tips and I didn't know that slugs and snails were more active in the evening so that's why my crops have been eaten by the slugs and snails. So I am going to water earlier in the mornings.

Watering has been my greatest struggle. My whole garden is containers on a south facing asphalt driveway so everything dries fast. This video has really helped. Thanks Huw

Robbie and Gary is a good Channel for a compost in place that they teach you how to do. I think it was yesterday's it's for container gardening. Thank you for the wonderful watering tips I didn't know you could use compost as mulch. I learn something new everyday

Thanks for all the great tips. I think a drip system would work too. Build a structure to put a rain barrel about 3 to 4 feet off the ground and run rubber tubing (puncture holes 2-3 inches apart on the tubes) throughout the rows. Keep the nozzle on the rain barrel slightly open to allow water to slowly drip out of the tubing. Make sure though that your not creating a soggy environment, just enough water to moisten the soil well, putting wood chips, leaves or pine needles around your plants will help in keeping the soil moist and the ground cool. Placing the tubes closer the to the base of the plants will ensure proper direct watering. Rubber tubing is fairly cheap and it’s a great system to always keep your plants watered. especially in hotter climates. Just keep an eye on your plants for the first week to make sure your plants are getting enough water. A productive and low maintenance system. I would suggest watching videos about this system to make the process easier and done right. Has anyone tried this ?

Great tips Huw, the plank on the seeds tip is fantastic, it's worked wonders for germination rates here.

Hi Huw I have loved watching you over the last few months. I have only discovered people like yourself on KZfaq since last springtime. We have had a plot for several years but only recently gardening for self sufficient fruit and veg. In fact this has been our first year we started no dig a year ago. We have limited time as I care for my soon to be 102 year old dad he has dementia and lives with us so can’t be left alone. My husband works so we have to take it in turns. The plot has kept me sane thru lockdown and also watching yourself liz zorab and Charles dowding etc. We had lots of good successes but a few failures. I am tackling mistakes and growing more of what we have as not enough to give away to family. We had one full plot 20 poles. 2 years ago we took on 10 poles next to us for my daughter and her partner but that fell thru so we worked it. This last couple of months we have taken on 10 poles the other side of us. No dig allows us to manage so much easier and not so many weeds. We havnt used any insecticide not even slug pellets as we want to be completely organic and let nature do it’s thing. The only thing with that was for this last year I made 4 showings of carrots they all came up and slugs ate the lot so we didn’t have any carrots to see us thru this wintertime so a failed staple. But our swede and celeriac grew amazingly for the first time. 2 years on the trot our sprouts grew big amazing plants but hardly any sprouts we have never had that b4. Also sparrows ate everything red that popped up and that’s new for us. But the cosmos and other flowers herbs I planted amongst the beds were amazing and attracted so many bees and insects which we wanted. We not allowed ponds so can’t get in toads and frogs to eat slugs. We had a ploy tunnel for first time for toms aubergine and cucumbers. Had loads of cu,s and fair amount of toms but aubergine plants grew amazing but flowers dropped off. Wen I grew them outdoors previous years I had quite a few fruits. So I am living and learning. We have jars of dried beans we havnt had b4 and so much parsley all year round which I need for stews and casseroles and soups for health purposes as very good to ward of colds etc. Now is time to start sowing seeds. I can’t wait. Last year every space shelf windowsill and floor space had seeds and plants right up till end of may because we kept having frosts till then so most couldn’t go out but peas grew 5’ + tall and broad beans fantastic. I have applied lots of your tips as I have gone along. I am so happy that you have over the last 10 years gained half a million subscribers well done and I have seen you have started other channels that’s bril but I do hope you will continue in the garden like you have done for simple plot holders like me. I loved liz zorab in her previous garden but now it just seems so big and not so personal. I know she is establishing it but it was so good to watch her b4. Just aware that some people can get too big and successful and not have time for everyday gardening experiences. You have done amazingly well and I so pleased for you not taking that away but please can you continue with the very basic tips and ideas in the garden and plot. Thanks Huw and well done and Thankyou for helping and inspiring me this last 9 months.

Some great tips! I put in drip irrigation on a timer several years ago so the garden would get watered while we were traveling, or on business trips. It has been a life saver for the gardens. The initial cost was high, but the time savings has been unlimited.

Hey Huw! Thanks for the watering priority, I never heard that before but it makes total sense. It has been a wet start to Autumn in the subtropics Down Under so I have been madly planting seeds taking total advantage of the free rain. If it lasts till next Saturday night, I will get out amongst it with some soap, a loofa and a towel. ;-) Cheers!

Brilliant video once again Huw. Another reason not to water during intense sunshine is each droplet will act like a magnifying glass which concentrates the sun's rays, causing damage to plant cells

Aloha from Hawaii! 🌺 I learned something new from you today! Several things actually, but specifically this: I always thought that seeds had to be in sunlight in order to sprout. I didn’t know you could cover them to retain moisture and they would still sprout. I’m assuming that’s because the warmth of the soil around them? I literally thought they grew towards sunlight. I feel a little silly for not knowing that, but at least I’ve learned. I love James’ channel as well! I’m a new subscriber to his and your channel and I can’t get enough! Thank you for all the time and effort you’ve put into sharing your knowledge with us! Well done!

Such a great tip for germinating seeds, thank you 😊

I live in hot sunny Florida with its own challenges. I still learn so much from these videos! I take away something good from every one of them.

The plank idea is fabulous!! Sometimes I travel and I'm a pinch concerned about growing. That's a life changing tip!!

Great informative video, ive always just watered whatever time but now ill ensure to do it early or late I started my rain water set up about a month ago, right now I only have one collection source and one storage bin but once its safer to go out and about I hope to source some second hand materials and make another setup

Love love love that I've found your channel. Amazing info. Simple and clear. Thank you!

Another great bunch of tips! I like the plank thing.

I just found your channel and I am so impressed. I live in mid state Florida, USA so we live in such different areas but I picked up many tips. Thank you so much. Ann Allen

Hi from Canada 🇨🇦! Omg thanks for this awesome video! Just a newbie but I’m sure more seasoned gardeners may not be aware too!

I seem to cause more problems for myself watering in the late afternoon (disease/slugs), so this year I am going to be a morning waterer. I like the free water best---rain!!! Lol!!

Enjoyed this Huw, greats tips and well covered. The board tip works very well, use something similar with seed trays. All the best, Hugh 😊👍🏼🌿

Liked your video. I have found that my biggest problem was INCONSISTENT watering. Living in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon zone 8b) with inconsistent rain and lots of tall Fir tree roots in the ground I have to have all my veggie garden in raised beds and a lot of containers. If I was at work or on a trip and couldn't water things regularly the beds/pots would begin to dry out and the veggies would stress. This year I have put in a simple DIY drip irrigation system with a timer and so far I am loving it. I wish I would have done this 20 years ago. PS I like the board idea because it keeps the ground warm and prevents the soil from drying out. I use thick cardboard and leave it on till the little seedlings show and then remove it. While I wait for the seeds to germinate I know where the slugs will be hiding and its easy to pick off the slugs each morning.

Brilliant advice on watering Huw. 😀Thankyou...I would add :- the temperature of the water effects the seedlings and growth rate. Tapwater that is chlorinated does damage some plants.eg courgettes and runner beans. Chlorinated tapwater also destroys organic soil bacteria. Therefore Rainwater harvested in water butts is best I find.

Really good advise. Just another technique on not becoming over welded or frustrated. Hope you and your family are healthy and staying safe. Be well

Great video, as usual! Thanks!

Thank you So much for all your Solid tips!

Salut!Urmaresc video-urile tale de ceva,i-mi place mult cum le combini,rational,eficient,se vede ca-ti place ce faci.I-mi place si cum uzi plantele,intradevar ele simt binefacerea udatului cu stropitoarea.M-a amuzat ideea cu ghivecele goale puse pe post de cap de stalp,ingenioasa si la cost zero.Mult succes si recolte bogate.

Thanks a lot on the information regarding watering garden. Really helpful🙏👍

In some places in the world it’s illegal to store water. Here in Colorado Springs if you are collecting rainwater you can be fined! It’s one of the stupidest laws I’ve ever seen and it is basically going to line the states pockets because they sell the water from the Colorado River to other states and they don’t want anybody within the water table to impact their profits I guess

Wow!thanks for your great vedio, God bless ❤

i love watching your video's.... you explained everything so well...so calm and easy to understand... thank you for sharing to us your passion about plantong veggirs... i am very happy today ...to come across your links.... truely greatful......margie from California...

dude i really really love your channel---i notice when you do voice overs you are reading the text (at least in some of your vids) consider to still read text but just have 20 words on a page (not word by word) which are used for prompts you will still get your message out and it will sound more natural keep up the great work mate!

More great tips thank you for sharing

Brilliant as always

Fantastic. Thank you!

Your videos are fantastic! Great work! Oh and your books too. Just got two of them this week from Amazon.

5:14 Love the flower watering mechanism; designed as a toy but works as a tool!

Nice sprouting trick using the plank to hold hydration...

Haha this is maybe the 20th vid i will watch from this channel, is it just me or he really looks like Chris Evans/Capt America? 😅

Thanks so much for the info! 🌱

Fabulous tips, thank you. I am not on the mains and use rainwater with my watering can

I use a 'wicking bed ' system (large self-watering container) using used Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) like those that you show at the end of your video. I just need to water seedlings for a couple of weeks, then they are reliant on water from the water reservoir at the base of the container. During a period of no rain, I top up the reservoir weekly via a tube which runs down the inside of one side of the container. The plants never run out of water!

Fair play to you some really good tips thank you 👍

Thank you!🤗 appreciate what you do!😎 all praise, trust and glory to the Creator of the Universe🌈

Great tips. We need to water to moisten 6 in of soil.

Great video!

Excellent! THank you.

Your advice is always a brilliant boost to our vegie growing so I look forward to your videos (and my wife says the beard really suits you). Where we live the sun is EXTREMELY intense and watering at most times of the day is rarely worth while. At present we have a slow drip hose buried under rough sugar cane mulch which acts as our mulch (It is also more affordable than the fine cut cane mulch) and it breaks down very nicely over about 8 - 10 months. What would you recommend by way of mulch? We get very few deciduous trees and therefore little by way of leaf fall.

Great idea here of covering seed with a plank to retain moisture. Carrots are a nightmare here for us and i will give a go with a plank. Covering with anything else like polythene or fleece not only heats up the soil too much or the dogs and cats have fun moving them. It will be interesting to see how quickly carrots take to germinate under a plank. (hope they aren't seed that require light to germinate!)

I didn't have the ability to get those water butts when it was wet season. However i was able to get a few 24 litre plastic containers to act as aquifers. Managed to store well over 100 litres and I have yet to use my own tap. Hopefully I'm better prepared this year for the rainy season :-)

Super !!!

Never to old..Thanks, I shall no longer water in the evening..never thought about slug invitation 😉

I really love all your videos thank you for sharing .

Your great. Thanks for info😍🙏

another great video

Nice one !

Water....so precious and so simple...but need to be wise with it for certain! Thank you again for great vid! 😊☀️🇨🇦 ps....ordered 3 copies of your book...can’t wait to read it and share!

Very helpful thank you! 🌱🌱🌱

very good share i like ❤️️❤️️❤️️👍👍👍

This is great information, thank you!

Thank you so much. Can I link to this for my need to start a garden video I just did?🏡🏞

Did you ever heard about the watering method with Ollas, it works quite easily as your method with a bonus that the water us stored in the Olla and the plants take water by themselves

New subscriber here..New gardener too..I'm very inspired by your method

great infor im working my why to all your vidoes

Hi Huw...awesome vids. would like to know how I can determine HOW MUCH to water my plants, especially those that are planted in the ground, so as not to over nor underwater. thanks.

Thanks Huw. Any tips to avoid over-watering? I’m guilty of that and find it tricky to judge requirements.

Fantastic video! I was literally thinking about looking for a video on watering when watching another video and this one came up on autoplay!

Thank you for your useful video

Just found your channel and love it. Which video do you teach about the cover you had over your carrot plot that I see in this video? Why is that cloth dome over them?

I've been watering at the end of the afternoon/early evening, my last job before I go in. I've not had problems with slugs. I have put numerous old bramble sticks along one side that's by a hedge (one of Huw's tips). I've sowed carrots and onions in the raised beds, without plank or other covering. They are sprouting up well. I also sowed parsnips. No sign yet but I gather they can take a while. Over the last few months, we've had so little rain (two separate occasions I think) that I've needed to water each night, except when it rained.

tanks a lot

Cover those IBCs. They will perish in the UV and become brittle in a couple of years. Plus they look a bit nicer cladded out in recycled pallet timbers.

I have not had so many problems with slugs n snails this year - could it be the strulch I heaped round each seedling?

Thanks for another great video, Huw! Who makes that beautiful yellow watering can?

I find leaf mold that appears like an old wet pages of a book from the compost pile. They are usually full of worms. I place them wet side down on my newly planted seeds and remove them when seeds sprout.

Huw, thank you for another really useful video. I have a question - I am unsure about using the plank method for germinating carrots. (We failed to germinate any carrots this spring - too dry or slugs). I fear it would provide shelter for slugs which would just graze off the seedlings. I have no-dig raised beds covered with compost mulch and practice hygiene, removing dying leaves etc. but we still have a significant issue with slugs. Any thoughts?

Enjoyed the video good information 👍

Thanky

When you water your seedlings with the mesh curtain, do you water with it or you take off the mesh curtain to water?

Hello! Thanks for your videos,always interesting tips. My question : what and how do you grow in plastic bottles, as we can see on 7'22?

Thank you Huw! From Jonah and Julia

Hi. You mentioned bolting. My romaine lettuce always bolts like crazy in the summer. Can you give me any tips to help?