The hydrophobic peat mix problem is so real. I lost a couple tomato plants last summer exactly how you described, pouring water in and watching it just channle down the sides. The overnight soak fix worked for me too but felt like borderline plant CPR at that point. The deep-and-infrequent advice being backwards for containers makes total sense when you think about thermal mass and exposed sides. Ground soil is insulated from below, pots aren't. Also completely agree about the 3-4 inch mulch recommendation, that would literally bury half my herbs.
CPR indeed! I kept referring to the plant as "the patient" - and once it was back to life, damn caterpillars came and munched away all the new leaves. Eternal vigilance is required!
The hydrophobic peat mix problem is so real. I lost a couple tomato plants last summer exactly how you described, pouring water in and watching it just channle down the sides. The overnight soak fix worked for me too but felt like borderline plant CPR at that point. The deep-and-infrequent advice being backwards for containers makes total sense when you think about thermal mass and exposed sides. Ground soil is insulated from below, pots aren't. Also completely agree about the 3-4 inch mulch recommendation, that would literally bury half my herbs.
CPR indeed! I kept referring to the plant as "the patient" - and once it was back to life, damn caterpillars came and munched away all the new leaves. Eternal vigilance is required!