Gardeners are being warned that they could be making one vital mistake when watering their plants, and the way they can check to make sure they avoid it
Gardeners are being warned not to make one mistake while planting(Image: Getty)
Gardeners are being urged to “hold off longer” as they might be “accidentally” killing off their plants. Gardening expert Nick Turrell says many amateur horticulturalists often notice their flowers “keel over and die” after they water them.
Nick says this is particularly the case if they are using peat-free compost in their plant pots. This is because it “holds water well” despite the surface appearing dried out.
Underneath though, Nick, an advisor with the RHS, warns that the compost is actually still well-watered. Many gardeners however find themselves battling the urge to water then plants still.
Speaking on the RHS YouTube channel, Nick said: “What people do is accidentally over water. The plants go yellow, keel over and die.
“So before automatically watering, put your finger just beneath the surface, if it feels dry, give it a drop of water, if it feels damp, just hold off a bit longer. Or simply lift the pot up.
Gardeners can find themselves over-watering peat-free compost
“A pot full of dry compost feels light. A pot full of wet compost feels heavy.”
Nick tells gardeners they shouldn’t worry either if they see mushrooms growing in their peat-free compost. He says they “don’t do any harm” but can be picked off if you don’t like them.
The advice comes as a time when many gardeners find themselves moving to peat-free compost as a more environmentally-friendly option. The RHS says preserving the peatland is “vital for the unique biodiversity they support”.
It says that draining them for peat extraction “releases carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change”. It says Britain’s peatlands also help soak up rainfall and prevent localised flooding.
Gardeners are making mistake when using peat-free compost, an expert says(Image: Getty)
The society says gardeners should pick a peat-free compost that is suitable to the type of plants you will be growing, such as seedlings or containing plants. It says that some plants, like houseplants, will need specialist compost mixes.
It says that peat-free compost can be used in much the same way as normal compost. However gardeners should be aware that the feeding requirements, as well as the water needs, differ when planted in peat-free soil.
The society explains the water retention in peat-free compost can often be different to traditional composts as they often contain bark. It recommends gardeners use a much smaller watering can or even a mist sprayer when growing in peat-free compost.
Gardeners looking to plant in peat-free compost should plant in moist but not soggy conditions. The RHS explains: “Saturated compost is colder, which can slow down germination and may cause seedlings and cuttings to rot.”
Finally, Nick urged gardeners to make sure their compost is actually peat-free. He added: “If it doesn’t say peat-free on the bag, it isn’t peat-free in the bag.”
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