You're Probably Overwatering Fall Asters - Here's How Much Water They Actually Need

The Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.) is a gorgeous flower, bringing shades of pink, purple, white, and even blue to an otherwise dreary season. They are a hardy alternative to mums you should consider planting in your fall garden. As a cold-tolerant perennial and fantastic pollinator, asters tend to bloom in late summer and last all the way through fall in USDA Hardiness zones 3 through 8. Although asters are a fairly low-maintenance flower, they are sensitive to moisture, and it's easy to overwater them. If your asters are losing their leaves or not flowering well, you've probably been giving them too much water at a time or watering too frequently. A safe bet is to give them one inch of water, once a week.

The exception to that rule is when you are initially planting them. When you first plant asters in your garden, be sure to do so in moist soil and give them plenty of water on a regular basis until they have established their root system. After they are fully established in the garden bed, you can ease up on the watering frequency, as they will become more drought-tolerant and won't need as much water. At that point, you can use the rule of one inch of water once a week watering schedule.

So your flowers are nicely established and you want to make sure you're steering clear of avoidable errors that are sure to harm the asters in your garden, but you're not exactly sure how. We can help. For starters, make a habit of checking the soil frequently to make sure it's neither too dry nor too saturated. As long as it stays consistently moist, you're doing great. When you feel the soil begin to dry out about one to two inches deep, it's time to water again. On average, this will probably end up being once a week, but keep in mind that fall weather can bring rain, which counts toward how much water the asters are getting.

Not sure what one inch of water is? It's measured as one inch of water per square foot, about half a gallon of water. It's best to water your asters fully at one time, once a week, as opposed to doing it a little bit each day. This is called deep-watering, and it helps the roots grow and encourages a more plush blooming. It's also preferred to water them in the early part of the day or morning, so there is enough time for the soil to dry a bit before nightfall. Follow these tips and you'll know how to grow and take care of asters like a pro.