Proper watering is critical to your plants heath. Regular watering helps to insure proper growth and flowering. The following instructions are just guidelines. No watering schedule is a substitute for daily observation of your newly planted plants. This guide is to help insure deep root watering for typical soil types and conditions.
Watering DO’s and DO NOT’s
DO’s
- Allow the hose to run at a steady stream
- Move the hose to different positions around the tree
- Water slow enough to allow the water to penetrate deeply into the soil
- Water at the base of the plant, never at the top
DO NOT’s
- Use a sprinkler
- Put the hose to closely to the trunk or stem of the plant
- Over water the plant. The soil should be wet not soupy
Reasons for deep watering
Frequent shallow watering lead to shallow root systems. Plants with shallow root systems are not very drought tolerant.
Conditions requiring more frequent watering
Windy locations- wind dries plants out more quickly
Slopes- plants on slopes will dry out more quickly, since water runs downhill. Be sure to keep the hose pressure low and water above the plant on the slope.
Overhangs- plants placed under a roof overhang will need to be watered more. The soil in that area tends to be drier as it does not receive any rain
Frequency of watering
Trees, shrubs, and perennials: every 2 days in hot weather and every 4 days in cool weather.
Sod every day after installation for 30 days. Twice a day in hot weather.
Watering guide lines
Apply water slowly to allow it to soak into the soil.
Wet the soil to a depth of 12”. This encourages a uniform root system which will better withstand future stress.
Quick summer showers may not supply enough water to wet the entire area around the root ball.
Do not over water. Over watering can leach nutrients from the soil or deplete oxygen availability to the roots.
A soil that can be formed into a ball in your hand has sufficient moisture. Loose dry soil that crumbles in your hand indicates the need for additional watering.
If any wilt is evident or the foliage feels warm to the touch water. Foliage that is evaporating moisture is cool to the touch.
Water both the root ball and surrounding soil. Roots only grow where there is moisture. Unless the surrounding soil is moist the plant may never grow out of the original nursery soil.
Yellow lower leaves indicate the plant has recently severely wilted. Water!
Mulch around plants when possible. Mulch helps to reduce moisture loss and keeps down weeds from competing for water.
When the temperatures get into the mid 80’s or above, or if drought is evident, watering more frequently is necessary.
Shallow rooted plants such as rhododendrons and azaleas may need watered more frequently.