Watering Procedures

Watering is the most important single factor in establishing newly installed plants.

Here are some guidelines to follow for different types of plantings:

 

Trees, Evergreens and Large Ornamentals

Twice or three times per week over the first three to four weeks, you should water the base of the plants for between 15 and 20 minutes. Root feeders can be used, or you can water manually. During the growing season you need to water when the temperatures are high, on windy days or during drought periods.

Shrubs, Small Evergreen and Small Ornamentals

Three or four times per week over the first three to four weeks, depending on weather conditions, water the base of each plant by hand for several minutes. During the growing season you need to water when the temperatures are high, on windy days or during drought periods.

Perennial, Groundcover and Small Plantings

Three or four times per week over the first three to four weeks water the area between 20 and 25 minutes using a sprinkler system, soaker hose or sweat hose. If watering by hand, soak all of the new plantings. Once the plants are established, check the soil moisture before watering. During the growing season you need to water when the temperatures are high, on windy days or during drought periods.

General Tips

Over watering is as harmful as under watering. Excessive watering can rot the roots of the plantings. Allow the soil to dry out before soaking them again. Check plantings weekly. After plantings are established, water less frequently but water deeper to establish a deeper root system.

Weekly use your finger to check the soil 2” — 3” deep around plantings to see if the soil is dry. Start watering when dry. Plants in full sun dry out faster than plants in the shade. Shallow rooted plants, such as perennials, annuals and groundcovers, dry out much more quickly than deep rooted plants. Check them regularly and water more frequently. Plants under an overhang will need ongoing watering because natural rainfall does not reach them.

Sprinkler systems are not to be used for plants with deep roots, trees, shrubs, evergreens and ornamentals. When sprinkler heads are used for perennials and annuals make sure sprinkler heads are not obstructed by these plantings.