Watering Plants

Watering a plant correctly is very crucial for optimum plant establishment.  A plant is a living being just like you and I and require the same things we do on a daily basis, with out adequate water and oxygen a plant can fail.  Relying on Mother Nature is risky and that’s where we step in.  Down pours/torrential rains are not beneficial to a plant.  A newly installed plant requires a good soaking rain deep into the root ball or a good soaking drink from the hose.  Below you will find watering instructions for all types of plants.

Grass Seed

Water with a sprinkler for large areas, small areas can be done by hand.  Set up sprinklers so they water in a “head to head” coverage.  This means one sprinkler should just reach the next one.  If using one sprinkler (the most common method because of water pressure) move the sprinkler to where it reached the previous setting.  The sprinkler should be left in one place for 45 min to an hour.  Water once daily before 10am or after 4pm if possible for the first two weeks, every other for the next two weeks.  The third or fourth week the grass can be cut for the first time and watering after the fourth week can be done as needed.

Sod

Water with a sprinkler for large areas, small areas can be done by hand.  Sod should NOT be aloud to dry out.  Set up sprinklers so they water in a “head to head” coverage.  This means one sprinkler should just reach the next one.  If using one sprinkler (the most come method because of water pressure) move the sprinkler to where it reached the previous setting.  The sprinkler should be left in one place for ONE hour.  Water once daily (if hot temperatures twice a day may be needed) before 10am or after 4pm if possible for the first three weeks, every other for the next two weeks.  The fourth or fifth week the grass can be cut for the first time and watering after the fifth week can be done as needed.  Give the sod a gentle pull before the first mow to make sure the roots have grabbed hold of the earth.  NOTE: If the sod is showing a slight grey color it is in the first stage of drying out, water immediately.

Annuals

Watering everyday for the first two weeks maybe necessary depending on temperatures, every other day is common.  Water until it puddles on the topsoil/mulch and let the water soak into the soil and than repeat.  After two weeks a liquid fertilizer can be used once a week to promote added growth and flowering.  Watering will be needed throughout the growing season and if possible water at the base of the plant and keep the water off the foliage and flowers, this will cut down on leaf spot diseases.

Perennials

Water three times a week to every other day depending on temperatures.  Water at the base of the plant whenever possible, plants take up water through their roots and there is NO benefit to watering the foliage.   Most one gallon to three gallon perennials need one to two gallons of water per plant.  Allow the water to soak into the root ball.  You may need to water once and than go back a second time to get enough water on them.  For the first month a plant only takes up water at the root ball and cannot take up water from the surrounding soil.  After a month the plant establishes new feeder roots to pull in water from the surrounding soil and the watering frequency can be reduced.  Watering should be done into mid to late November to allow for optimum plant establishment.  A liquid or granular fertilizer can be added after a month to help with establishment.  NOTE:  A typical water flow coming out of a hose bib is four to five gallons a minute.

Deciduous and Evergreen (Needle and Broadleaf) Shrubs

Water two to three times a week depending on temperatures for deciduous shrubs.  Evergreens don’t like to be wet for a long period of time so twice a week is fine unless temperatures are extreme.  Water at the base of the plant whenever possible, plants take up water through their roots and there is NO benefit to watering the foliage.   For every three feet of height the shrub should receive five gallons of water.  Allow the water to soak into the root ball.  You may need to water once and than go back a second time to get enough water on them.  For the first month a plant only takes up water at the root ball and cannot take up water from the surrounding soil.  After a month the plant establishes new feeder roots to pull in water from the surrounding soil and the watering frequency can be reduced.  Watering should be done into mid to late November to allow for optimum plant establishment.  A liquid or granular fertilizer can be added after a month to help with establishment.  NOTE:  A typical water flow coming out of a hose bib is four to five gallons a minute.

Deciduous Trees

Water two to three times a week depending on temperatures.  Water at the base of the plant whenever possible, plants take up water through their roots and there is NO benefit to watering the foliage.   For every inch of trunk caliper the tree should receive five gallons of water.   Allow the water to soak into the root ball.  You may need to water once and than go back a second time to get enough water on them.  For the first month a plant only takes up water at the root ball and cannot take up water from the surrounding soil.  After a month the plant establishes new feeder roots to pull in water from the surrounding soil and the watering frequency can be reduced.  Watering should be done into mid to late November to allow for optimum plant establishment.  A liquid or granular fertilizer can be added after a month to help with establishment.  NOTE:  A typical water flow coming out of a hose bib is four to five gallons a minute.

Evergreen Trees

Water two to times a week depending on temperatures, if very hot and dry three times a week.  Most evergreens like to dry out a little and not be as wet as deciduous trees. Water at the base of the plant whenever possible, plants take up water through their roots and there is NO benefit to watering the foliage.   For every three feet of height the tree should receive five gallons of water.  Allow the water to soak into the root ball.  You may need to water once and than go back a second time to get enough water on them.  For the first month a plant only takes up water at the root ball and cannot take up water from the surrounding soil.  After a month the plant establishes new feeder roots to pull in water from the surrounding soil and the watering frequency can be reduced.  Watering should be done into mid to late November to allow for optimum plant establishment.  A liquid or granular fertilizer can be added after a month to help with establishment.  NOTE:  A typical water flow coming out of a hose bib is four to five gallons a minute.