Can You Overwater Tulips?

Prevention

• Prevent overwatering by planting tulips in fast-draining soil. Improve the drainage of tightly packed ground by working compost and coarse sand into the soil. Avoid the use of manure. Raised flower beds that create at least 10 inches of loose, airy soil provide an effective way for gardeners without fast-draining soil to successfully grow tulips.

Tools

• Moisture meters and rain gauges can assist gardeners in determining whether their tulips need additional water. Rain gauges come in a variety of styles and include a container to catch and measure rainfall. Moisture meters include a probe that tulip growers can insert into the soil. Meters show results through color-coded indicator strips or on a digital display.

Consequences

• Standing water in the soil surrounding a tulip encourages the growth of fungus and disease. Tulip bulbs can rot if overwatered. Excess water may also kill tulips by restricting the amount of oxygen available to the roots, effectively drowning the plant.