Watering Tips - Trees and Plants
Proper watering of newly planted trees and shrubs is critical to their success. Protect your investment by being attentive to your plants’ watering needs.Most garden plants will need 1-1.5 inches of water per week to maintain healthy leaves, flowers and fruit.
When Mother Nature does not provide enough, it’s up to the gardener to supply the rest. During times of drought and settling of new plants this is more important.When you water be sure to do a thorough deep application.
The worst thing you can do to your garden is to sprinkle lightly every day. Frequent, shallow watering only moistens the upper layer of soil, which encourages plant roots to stay shallow. In turn, that top layer of soil dries out quickly, making shallow-rooted plants more susceptible to drying.
Watering Schedule - Trees and Shrubs
1-2 Weeks After Planting
Water daily - check with a moisture detector.
3-12 Weeks
Water twice per week - Deeply so that the ground is soaked 1-2 feet underground.
After 12 Weeks
Water once per week deeply until the roots are established.
More Tips on Shrubs and Trees
You can buy a water meter for under $15. The meter is moveable and should be placed as deeply in the ground as it will go. Before you water each time check the meter in various spots. The meter should read moist, not dry or wet.
Trees have larger root balls than shrubs and perennials, so trees benefit from leaving a hose on at a low output stream for an hour to get the water to penetrate deep underground. Some plants like Arborvitae and Spruce trees can be overwatered if the soil is not well-drained. If you’re unsure, contact Eclipse Landscaping at 317-418-8049.
Sod and Grass Seed Watering
Newly planted grass, whether sod or seed, needs to be watered a lot more often than trees and shrubs. However, the watering doesn't need to go quite as deep, since the grass rooting area is shallow.
For new grass, water three times a day for the first two weeks, using sprinklers or irrigation to make sure to cover all areas thoroughly. Usually the grass dies because of hot weather and drying out when it hasn't rooted into the ground yet.
Watering Schedule - Sod and Seed
1-2 Weeks After Planting
Water 3 times daily - 20-30 minutes per zone
3-12 Weeks
Water once daily - more if needed to protect from summer heat and draught.
After 12 Weeks
Water as needed to protect from heat and draught.