A brief introduction
In this post we give you watering guidelines & tips for watering your plants, trees and shrubs in your garden to keep them growing and healthy trough all the seasons.
Post-Planting Watering
- Watering is the most common issue with new plants, trees and shrubs. New plants typically need a lot of water for the first year or two as they establish.
- Water requirements will vary depending on plant type, weather conditions, time of year and soil structure.
- Plants that are growing fast or blooming needs more water.
- Imagine thoroughly soaking the entire root ball when watering, as well as the soil around and below it. The goal is to soak below the root system to encourage deep rooting. Water slowly to reduce runoff. This is best achieved with a soaker hose, or garden hose left on trickle. Hand watering is not sufficient.
- As a guideline, a slow trickle for 10 minutes for every gallon size container. For example, a plant that comes from a 1 gallon size container should be slowly watered for 10 minutes, 3 gallon – 30 minutes, etc.
- Do not water every day, which can suffocate roots. Give your new plant a good soaking every couple of days, letting the soil dry out in between waterings. Watering frequencies may vary from week to week depending on weather conditions.
- Do not rely on rain. Use a rain gauge to properly monitor rainfall. A slow steady rain with an inch or more within a week period is required to be sufficient.
- Morning watering will help to prevent diseases and evaporation of moisture.
- Continue watering regularly throughout the growing season. You should check the plant’s watering needs for at least the first two growing seasons.
- If we have a rainy spring, it is even more critical that you monitor watering later in the season.
- Do not let plants go into winter dry. One good last soaking before the ground freezes is beneficial, particularly on evergreens.
Last but not least...
Regularly check if your plants, trees or shrubs needs water. Try to Keep the soil and mulch moist but not soggy. In dry weather, you should water generously at least every 7–10 days. The water should soak into the soil and mulch.
Avoid watering so much that you see standing water. Over-watering gives almost the same symptoms as plants that are drying out!
We hope this guide is helpful to you. Let us know if you have any questions or additions.
