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Water: Too little or too much?

8 years ago

A Sweet Lavender that I recently transplanted from pot to garden over a week ago. First time I have grown lavender in the ground instead of a pot; watering these lovely herbs can be tricky under the best of circumstances, so could anyone tell me (if you can from the photos) if I'm over or underwatering? Two of the smaller stems have died back and the bottom leaves are yellowing. (Gets 6+ hours of sunlight daily & is surrounded by rocks and a concrete wall) Thanks in advance

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Comments (5)

jean001a
8 years ago
Only you can determine that.
Any newly installed transplant needs adequate moisture in the rootball until the roots can extend into the surrounding soil.
If it's particularly hot, perhaps you need to rig shade a foot or so above the plant to help it through this establishment period.

Please probe the root ball -- is it soggy, moist, or dry?
Erin thanked jean001a
kimmq
8 years ago
Keep in mind that sometimes the soil surrounding a newly planted specimen may be saturated but the root ball of that plant will be dry. When watering be sure to get that plants root ball wet as well as the surrounding soil.

Look closely at the soil this plant is in to see how wet, or dry, it is.

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Erin thanked kimmq
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
I recently transplanted from pot to garden over a week ago

==>>> you are way late in planting.. in z8 ... and not expect sever transplant shock ...

insert finger.. or use a spoon to gently FIND OUT how damp or dry the soil is ...

your base problem is you are guessing.. and then asking us to guess.. just find out ...

keep in mind.. just because you buy something .. that does not mean its the best time to plant it ...

by mid fall ... there will be a number of posts of us mocking each other.. as to who has the most summer collected pots ... waiting for fall planting ...

ken
Erin thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Erin
Original Author
8 years ago

I checked the level of moisture and sure enough the root ball was dry while the surrounding soil was damp. I've grown lavender for several years (just not in the garden) and I still worry and nitpick over how much or how little to give the little buggers. I know it's very late to be transplanting, but I took the risk anyway, so here's hoping for the best. I think I will use that great idea of partial shade until the plant is well adjusted; decided this morning to give it a slow, deep water that penetrated the rootball, and it's looking decidedly better. Thank you all for responding and the great advice!
kimmq
8 years ago
There once was a school of thought that you could only plant at certain times of the year. Most horticulturists today think potted plants can be planted anytime the soil can be worked, ie. there is no "certain" time to plant, unless the plant is to produce food.

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