TIL I was overwatering my garden vegetables for 2 years straight

I always thought I was helping my tomatoes by watering them every single evening. Then my neighbor who's been growing peppers for 20 years pointed out my leaves were yellowing and soft. She told me to stick my finger in the soil first check if it's actually dry. Cut back to twice a week and my plants look way better now. Anyone else realize they were killing stuff with kindness in their own yard?

3 comments

3 Comments

robert_hayes1mo ago

Yeah, I did the same thing with my mint plants. Drowned them for months before I figured it out.

joseph5291mo agoMost Upvoted

You ever wonder if plants have a secret underground support group where they complain about us... My peppers looked like they were preparing for a flood drill every time I walked by with the hose. Turns out I was basically waterboarding my zucchini for fun. Now I just water them when the soil feels like a dry handshake instead of a wet sponge.

robinson.jake28d ago

Stick your finger in it before you wreck it basically applies to everything, not just plants (though, yeah, I drowned my rosemary too). I started doing the same thing with my houseplants and even my relationships now - like, are they actually asking for my help or am I just hovering because it makes me feel useful? It's wild how that urge to "fix" things can backfire, whether it's too much water or too much advice.