Protecting your Dish Garden from Root Rot

RAINY SEASON IN CENTRAL TEXAS

Avoid standing water in saucers to discourage root rot.

During rainy season it’s best to leave out of saucers to encourage full drainage.

99% of Imaginary Gardener (IG) dish gardens are in well draining soil and containers. These can be left outside in temps above 40 F in a partially covered shelter. Just discourage any standing water on these guys and avoid leaving in saucers full of water. Saucers are not necessary for dish gardens as they hinder full drainage.

As for the 1% of our dish gardens more attention to watering is needed.

These IG unique containers are plastic lined with a 2” gravel base for internal drainage then well draining cactus soil, plants and substrate to hold it all in place.  Left out in the rain these will become saturated and eventually cause your arid loving dish garden to get root rot.

This dish garden was built in an old drawer. It has the internal drainage system described above. This guy had to come inside in the rain.

Water for a plastic lined garden (internal drainage system) needs to be carefully controlled.  Water lightly at base of each plant allowing to absorb to avoid run off.
Be careful not to completely fill.  Allow to dry out between waterings.

General rule in most climates is water every 2 weeks beginning early spring through mid-fall. Your IG dish garden will go dormant late fall and winter. Give just a sip of water to those plants looking shriveled in dormant season.