Of all the advice we offer as landscape professionals, at the top of the list is ‘Right plant, right place”. Appropriate design and plant selection ensures your gardens will be lush and full most of the year, regardless of the weather. However, even well designed gardens need supplemental watering, especially during the first two years after planting, or the establishment phase. So, make sure you know how to water your garden properly!
General Watering
- Water regularly the first year after planting to get new plants established. A well-designed garden, in its second year, should only need supplemental watering during periods of drought.
- If possible, water in early morning. In hot afternoon sun, water evaporates rapidly, and in the evening, plants are not actively utilizing the water which can stimulate diseases. Encourage maximum plant growth with deep but infrequent watering.
- Consider days of extreme heat, cold, rain, or wind and adjust the frequency and amount of water.
- Observe your plants! Wilted plants mean you should increase watering. If you have been watering well and leaves are wilted and yellow, you may have a drainage issue. Check with GreenWeaver if you need help.
- To maximize water efficiency, minimize your efforts, and avoid disease, water only the root zone and soil immediately surrounding the plant.
Watering Trees & Shrubs:
- Soak the entire root system deeply and thoroughly; for a large tree, it may take up to an hour, for smaller shrubs, it may take 10 minutes. Time depends on the rate of watering, the size of the plant, soil properties, and percolation rate. Take into account recent rainfall when watering.
- Water 1-2 times per week in normal weather and more frequently during hot and dry spells.
- Slow release watering bags or 5-gallon buckets with a small hole in the bottom allow the water to soak into the ground over time and speed up the process of watering numerous plants.
How to Water Perennials:
- Cover the entire root system deeply and thoroughly. Do this by hand using a garden hose, or to cover large areas, a sprinkler.
- In the spring and fall months of year-one, water 3-4 times per week.
- During hot summer months of year-one, water 3-6 times per week.
Watering Sod:
- Use a sprinkler to water sod until thoroughly saturated.
- Water edges of sod by hand using a garden hose, as they tend to dry out faster.
- Daily watering is necessary the 1st week following installation.
- Water 3 times per week until established (usually about 3 weeks).
- Water as needed for the rest of the season – weekly in the summer months of year one.
Watering Tips for Lawns (Seed):
- Use a sprinkler to reach all areas of seed.
- Seed should be constantly moist, but not saturated.
- Water at least once daily for the first 2 weeks following installation.
- Water regularly through establishment.
Design your landscape well, water it well during establishment, and maintain it or hire a gardener to care for it, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful, useful, and healthy landscape for years to come!