Should you water today? Answer a few quick questions for a straight recommendation — plus the thinking behind it. These are rules of thumb, not readings from your soil. When in doubt, the finger test wins.
How it’s figured
These rules are rules of thumb drawn from general garden guidance: about an inch of water a week for established vegetables, a bit less for flowers, steady moisture for new transplants (their roots are shallow), and extra attention for containers, which dry far faster than beds.
Heat multiplies water use. Sandy soil drains quickly; clay holds on. Mulch, wind, and plant size can swing the real answer a lot.
No calculator beats your finger: dry 2 inches down = water; moist = wait.