Are your urban planter boxes looking less than vibrant despite your regular watering routine? You might be giving your plants too much of a good thing. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes in urban gardening, often more damaging than underwatering. Here's how to identify if you're overwatering your container plants.
The most obvious sign is yellowing leaves, particularly lower leaves that turn yellow and drop. While wilting can signal dryness, plants also wilt when roots are drowning and can't absorb oxygen. Consistently wet soil is another red flag - if the soil feels soggy or muddy a day after watering, you're likely overdoing it.
Check for mold or algae growth on the soil surface, which thrives in excessively moist conditions. Gently remove your plant and examine the roots - healthy roots are white and firm, while overwatered roots appear brown, black, mushy, and may smell foul. Stunted growth despite adequate light and nutrients can also indicate root damage from overwatering.
To correct overwatering, allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings. Improve drainage by ensuring your containers have adequate holes and consider adding materials like perlite to your soil mix. Remember that plants in shady locations or during cooler weather need less frequent watering than those in hot, sunny spots.