I was drowning my balcony tomatoes for a solid year before a cracked pot showed me the truth

My tomato plants on my south-facing balcony in Chicago always looked a bit sad, with yellow leaves and slow growth. I figured they just needed more water, especially during those hot summer days, so I was giving them a good soak every single morning. The moment it clicked was when I moved a big pot and the whole bottom fell off, rotten and soggy. The roots inside were a mushy, white mess, not strong and spread out. I realized I was loving them to death by never letting the soil dry out even a little. Now I stick my finger in the dirt and only water when it's dry an inch down. Has anyone else had a plant totally change once you cut back on water?

2 comments

2 Comments

taylor.jessica1mo ago

My mom killed three peace lilies the same way before she learned. It's wild how often the fix is to just leave things alone.

matthewperry1mo ago

Honestly, did she also overwater them like my mom does?