Deep Watering and Overwatering- What is the Difference?

Deep Watering and Overwatering- What is the Difference?

Water is an essential part of gardening. It doesn't seem like watering a citrus tree would be complicated, but when you grow in containers, there are some watering tips to keep in to keep your trees happy and healthy. Once you know the best practices for success, you'll feel more confident about doing watering correctly every time. 

In containers, all citrus trees should be planted in well-draining, chunky soil mix so that the water can flow easily through the mix, and there is plenty of room for the roots to spread out and grow. A soil mix that holds water for too long of a period will likely oversaturate the delicate roots and ultimately damage your citrus tree's root structure. 

Think of the roots of your citrus tree like a paper straw. Once it is too wet and soggy, it can not efficiently transport water up to your mouth. It needs to have a chance to dry out before you can drink from it again. When this sogginess or oversaturation happens to roots, this is known as "root rot". This is when the tree's roots start to degrade because they do not have the opportunity to dry out between watering. When that happens, the roots can not function properly. In other words,  it is an overwatered tree. 

Instead of overwatering your citrus tree, the best practice is to deeply water it thoroughly down to the root zone. Here are the differences between deep watering and overwatering your citrus tree.

Deep watering

Deep watering is when you provide a thorough and deep irrigation all the way down to the tree's root zone. This encourages the roots to grow deep into the soil, and also promotes a stronger and more drought-resistant root system. 

Deep watering is typically done less frequently than shallow watering. Depending on factors like soil type and climate, deep watering might be needed once a week, or even less often during the spring and fall and winter seasons.

However, in the hot summer months, you may have to water 2-3 times a week. It depends on the weather and how quickly your soil mix dries out. You typically know it is time to water when the top inch or two of the soil is dry. 

When deep watering, ensure that the water penetrates into the soil all the way to the bottom of the roots. This often means applying a larger volume of water during each watering session. When you tree is deeply watered, the water should start to flow out of the bottom of the pot.

If it has been a while since you've watered your tree, be sure that your soil mix is not overly dry and has not turned hydrophobic. This is when the soil actually resists the water instead of absorbing it. It may look like the water is being absorbed and the excess is draining out of the bottom, when in actuality it is not being absorbed at all. A good way to tell if your soil is hydrophobic is to check you soil a few inches below the surface after thoroughly watering your tree to see that the soil is indeed saturated. 

The goal of deep watering is to saturate the soil down to the root zone and encourage the roots to grow deeper. The next time you go to water, first check the soil moisture of the potting soil. Some methods are: to stick your finger 2" down to see if it's dry or use a soil moisture meter to gauge the moisture level.

Overwatering

Overwatering occurs when the tree receives more water than it can use, or when the soil remains constantly wet. This can lead to various problems for citrus trees. Here are some things to keep in mind about overwatering.

Overwatering often involves watering too frequently. If the soil is constantly wet and doesn't have a chance to dry out a bit between watering sessions, this can cause root stress or root rot. Excess water can saturate the soil and deprive the roots of necessary oxygen. You know you have root rot when the bottom of you pot is sludgey and has a foul, sewage-like odor.

Yellowing leaves as well as constantly soggy soil, a muddy surface, and standing water are signs of overwatering. Be sure to let the soil dry out slightly between watering sessions to prevent root rot and other issues.

Hot and dry climates require more frequent watering, but the emphasis should still be on deep watering rather than shallow, frequent watering.  

Containers can dry out faster, so they may need more attention compared to trees planted in the ground. Because the water can move freely, overwatering is not as much of an issue for in-ground trees with well-draining soil.  Well-draining soil holds moisture differently than clay or loamy soil. 

For container citrus, we recommend a quality well-draining chunky citrus potting mix,  such as our chunky Primo Potting Mix .

Our Advice

Our advice is to establish a watering schedule. Pay attention to how much water it takes to deeply water your citrus tree and also how long it takes for it to dry out in between waterings and adjust the frequency and volume accordingly. 

The goal is to find a balance where the soil is adequately moistened without becoming waterlogged. Regularly monitor your trees, the soil moisture, and their overall health to fine-tune your watering routine. 

Share this blog with someone who you think would like to learn the differences between deep watering and overwatering your citrus tree!

"The Tale of Drippy Dan and Soaky Sue"

 (a silly poem about deep watering and overwatering)

Drippy Dan had a watering can
 And boy, he used it plenty.
 He’d sprinkle here, he’d sprinkle there,
 He’d water till it was empty.

He watered plants in morning light,
He watered them at noon.
 He even watered in the dark,
 Right underneath the moon.

His flowers frowned, his trees turned brown,
 His roots began to rot.
 “Why does my garden look so sad?
 I water it a lot!”

Now, Soaky Sue lived down the lane,
 With chunky soil so wide.
 She’d water slow, just once a week,
 The roots would drink with pride.

She’d soak the ground down to the roots,
 Then let it dry a spell.
 And wouldn’t you believe it-
 Her garden grew quite well.

Her kumquat tree stood tall and proud,
 Her orange was out of sight.
 Her limes lit up, her mandarins blushed,
 Her soil felt just right.

Now Drippy Dan, he scratched his head,
 And stomped his soggy shoe.
 “Could it be I gave too much,
 When less would better do?”

So take a tip from Soaky Sue,
 Don’t water just for show.
 Let roots reach deep, not swim or weep,
And watch your garden grow!

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Do you have any questions about deep watering and overwatering your citrus trees? Don't hesitate to email us: cs@fourwindsgrowers.com