watering in clay soil

paradajky · May 26, 2021

I've double-digged and amended the clay soil in the garden to be well draining, but it retains moisture. Some tomatoes in the ground seem to look better following a watering, even though the soil is moist/wet (not sogged), especially after 5-7 days no water. Maybe it's just placebo. Tomatoes are still young, some just beginning to set fruit.

We've had mostly overcast weather, so it has been taking longer for the soil to dry out.

Primary concern will be too much water and cracked tomatoes. Would you all suggest I maintain course and continue watering by watching the plants, or try going a little longer before watering again? It will probably change as the overcast weather burns off and temps warm up, but meantime.

Thank you!

Solanum315 · July 11, 2021

My feeling is that once the plants are established, say about a foot tall, that the clay soil retains a lot of moisture from the spring rains and actually requires less water than other soil types. I would suggest just watching your plants. Wilting usually but not always suggests a thirsty plant and yellowing usually but not always suggests an overwatered plant.

May 26, 2021	#1
paradajky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2021 Location: Coastal Southern CA Posts: 164	watering in clay soil I've double-digged and amended the clay soil in the garden to be well draining, but it retains moisture. Some tomatoes in the ground seem to look better following a watering, even though the soil is moist/wet (not sogged), especially after 5-7 days no water. Maybe it's just placebo. Tomatoes are still young, some just beginning to set fruit. We've had mostly overcast weather, so it has been taking longer for the soil to dry out. Primary concern will be too much water and cracked tomatoes. Would you all suggest I maintain course and continue watering by watching the plants, or try going a little longer before watering again? It will probably change as the overcast weather burns off and temps warm up, but meantime. Thank you!

July 11, 2021	#2
Solanum315 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: New York Posts: 244	My feeling is that once the plants are established, say about a foot tall, that the clay soil retains a lot of moisture from the spring rains and actually requires less water than other soil types. I would suggest just watching your plants. Wilting usually but not always suggests a thirsty plant and yellowing usually but not always suggests an overwatered plant. __________________ Scott http://worldtomatoes.blogspot.com/