Normally I wouldn't need to start worrying about watering until next month for the majority. The few I have uncovered now tho I just bottom water. Later on I will get out the hose on which I attach a wand that has a head with several spray options. How often depends on shallow vs. deep container, how much rain and of course temperature.

Vera

I just had to start watering my containers today for the first time, due to some unusually high temps (seems we went from winter to summer and skipped spring here!).

My containers are all in one spot, lined up neatly, in various stages of being opened. Today I just used a watering can and went up and down the line watering. Tomorrow when I get my hoses out and set up, I will use the hose and do the same - a gentle spray up and down the line of containers.

As far as how often, I just check the containers every day. Funny how some containers dry out more quickly than others, especially when they are all the same container (milk jugs, in my case). Some need water more often than others. I just check them and water accordingly.

:)
Dee

I went for a long time without watering, but now we have had temperatures in the 80s and no rain this week. I have moved all my "topless" containers (most of them, now) onto the deck and water 1/2 one day, half the next, and then can skip a day or 2. It is supposed to rain on Sunday, so I am hoping I won't have to water again for a few days. I am planting out as fast as I can, but since I work full time, things have gotten out of control. It also works to put a sprayer on the hose and gently spray everything. If we don't get rain, that is what I will be doing from now on, except for the containers with really small sprouts.

Becky
ramazz

Dee has a point.
Some containers may dry up a lot faster too given the fact that some may have a gazillion tiny seedlings ....all that equals a gazillion leaf surfaces that transpire moisture and a gazillion little roots sucking up the water LOL!

As the days warm amd the tops come of.I use a wand handle and love watering my seedlings with this one This year we had a reasonable amt. of rain,right when I need it so I have only watered my seedlings 3 times.It is in the high 70s everyday now.Next week,I am planting out alot of these.Its not hard to water alot of containers really.Just need a good hose,or sprayer,a little time to make sure you get them all.I had to rearrange mine so I can just go down the line and get them all.Tomorrow I am going to post so gorgeous seedlings..
moonphase

I used moisture control promix. And so far that has been a good move. Only my most exposed containers, those that get the most wind and sun, need watering.

I have a couple of plastic containers 3 feet long and two feet wide and 6 inches deep. They have 3 inches of water in them and if I see some need watering I will set them in those containers and let them soak up the water while I do yard work. After at least 15 minutes I will remove them and place others and keep going until all those that need water are done.

I always do bottom watering since I feel it's more thorough.

I hear your concern Eileen, and, with the heat yesterday while I was at work, many of my containers dried out significantly. I susspect several of the jugs that show no sprouts have been baked and will not sprout. Most others seem ok, though a few seedlings show signs of serious stress. Watered everything...only took 4 gallons of water...going to see whaT i CAN COME UP WITH FOR A BOTTOM WATERING SYSTEM, THOUGH...sorry for caps lock.

hit the caps key by mistake!

OTOH, I found about 7 more containers with sprouts, including one I sowed 10 days ago or thereabouts.

I've had to water a lot due to unusually high temperatures and no rain. April is usually damp around here. I have my pots all lined up with a width of 3 pots so I can maneuver around them. I grouped them in one big pile my first year and it was impossible to get to the middle!

I found it's easiest to use a wand set on the soaker setting. I touch each lid with it to make sure the water gets into the holes. Sometimes I'll flood a container (oops) but it doesn't seem to effect the seedlings, the pots have good drainage holes. I've been moving the sprouted containers to the front of the line so I know to go easy with the water in that section. When the tops come off, I use a light misting spray on the babies.

I give them a quick check on my lunch break for sproutage and can gauge whether or not they may need to be watered. If it's expected to be warm the following day with no rain, I usually give them a light watering whether they need it or not just as an assurance they don't dry out. I work so have to water in the evening.

One thing you can be certain of, you don't 'forget' your containers when you have hundreds out there! It's definitely time consuming but I enjoy tending the pots so it doesn't feel like a chore caring for them. I love when all the tops come off, it's a breeze to do the watering. I'm so anxious to uncover my pots (173 have already sprouted!) but I have concerns that we might get a cold snap or rain storms being it's so early in the season.

I use underbed storage boxes (huge ones) that I found at HD on clearance. They hold about 18 jugs at once, and I've got 3 of them. By the time I've filled the 3rd one, I can take the first ones out and keep on going.

It's good to get a system going that works for you. After trying several other watering methods and listening to everyone talk about bottom watering I found this method, and it works great, and is super easy.

{{gwi:383022}}

I don't water mine usually until Spring. The bottles sweat and water is always running down the sides inside. I leave the bottle tops off and it rains and waters them for me.

right; what ech said. I don't have to get these out til things start drying up around here.

But while we're talking about watering stuff, what do you find that DOESNT' need to be watered consistently, or that prefers not to be consistently moist? I guess I've never learned that part, and probably why some of my things don't do so hot because I water EVERYTHING regardless- usually til they float, then just take em out and let em drain. Which ones don't like a bath?

Putting out containers filled with soil/seeds is fun part... after that it is tough work and most of us loose lot more seedlings due to neglect than due to poor germination...
I try to plant out mine as early as I possible can do considering temps and weather... the earlier seedlings are in the better they grow and our spring usually wet enough to take care of watering in the ground.... I take one week of vacation during planting time and get it going....

I do the same. Our last frost date is around May 15. I start planting out perennials and hardy annuals in April. I take a week of vacation in early May to plant annuals and anything else sitting around.

Karen