Watering Tomatoes In Buckets

[big rockpile]

I have couple dozen Tomatoes in 5 gallon plastic buckets.

Was watering and seen the water was basically staying on top.

Stuck my fingers in it and it was just like a heavy mat. Break it and water goes right down.

Not sure what to do. I'm thinking put a stick in couple places before I water.

big rockpile

 

[skinyea]

I have couple dozen Tomatoes in 5 gallon plastic buckets.

Was watering and seen the water was basically staying on top.

Stuck my fingers in it and it was just like a heavy mat. Break it and water goes right down.

Not sure what to do. I'm thinking put a stick in couple places before I water.

big rockpile

I grow about 40% of my tomatoes in containers. do your plastic containers drain well?

 

[YumYum]

What kind of soil did you use? That kind of sounds like that white fuzz you can get when growing seedlings. It is kind of a barrier. Scratching the soil usually breaks it up for some reason.

 

[big rockpile]

Well have several drain holes but no don't seem to be soaking in like it should.

They do look good other than needing I believe more water.

big rockpile

 

[big rockpile]

What kind of soil did you use? That kind of sounds like that white fuzz you can get when growing seedlings. It is kind of a barrier. Scratching the soil usually breaks it up for some reason.

I'm thinking Happy Frog. Some were in Happy Frog and some in Sunshine 4 but I think Sunshine 4 I don't have this problem.

big rockpile

 

[headfullofbees]

I have couple dozen Tomatoes in 5 gallon plastic buckets.

Was watering and seen the water was basically staying on top.

Stuck my fingers in it and it was just like a heavy mat. Break it and water goes right down.

Not sure what to do. I'm thinking put a stick in couple places before I water.

big rockpile

Stick a piece of 3" pipe in the bucket, to about 6 inches & water through it.

 

[Mr_Yan]

What I did one year - very similar to headfullofbees - make an IV for each container.

Drill several holes along the length of an 8" piece of 1/2" or 3/4" diameter PVC. Shove that pipe into the pot. As you get standing water at the top of the bucket this will help the water direct right to the center of the bucket.

 

[big rockpile]

Ok they are all in 5 gallon Buckets with drain holes, the ones I'm having issues with have Happy Frog. Got some with Sunshine 4 they are doing great just holding on to water longer.

big rockpile