Hi, how often should newly planted seedlings in a raised bed be watered? And should they be watered at the base or sprinkled from above with a hose? Thanks.

Hi Sandy, newly planted seedlings should be watered daily, they may even need watering twice a day to get them started, especially if they are wilting due to transplant shock. Apply water to the soil rather than foliage, especially as plants grow, avoid wetting the foliage to help stop disease spreading, such as powdery mildew, blight or black spot. When seedlings are young, it is difficult to avoid wetting the foliage so to minimise damage water early in the morning. Watering late afternoon, early evening is okay as long as it isn't too late into the evening as the plants will sit in damp conditions throughout the night and this also spreads disease. To help get newly planted seedlings established, soak them in Tui Seaweed Plant Tonic as this stimulates root growth and helps reduce transplant shock. Lianne.