Watering

FAQs:

• How often should I water?

  • For newly planted material in the first two weeks following installation, watering should take place daily, if not twice a day when there is consistent temperatures exceeding 85º F, with no soil penetrating rain

  • For 3-12 weeks after installation, water every 2-3 days unless temperatures exceed 85º F, with no soil penetrating rain

  • For container and potted plants, water every 1-2 days

  • Avoid watering during the hottest parts of the day (late morning-mid afternoon)

  • Another factor to keep in mind, the windier it is, the faster plants will dry out

  • The most critical time period to be watering is the first year of plant material being in ground. During this period they are getting acclimated to new soil, and the root system is being established, making the plant vulnerable. After trees, perennials, and shrubs have past the first winter of being installed, they are at a lesser risk of drying out, but dehydration is still possible in droughts

• How much water do my plants need?

  • New trees: Apply 1 1/2 gallons for every inch of the trunk circumference, evenly watering at the base of the trunk

  • New shrubs: Apply 1/4 to 1/3 of the volume of the container that the plant was purchased in

    • i.e. 3 gallon container = 3/4 to 1 gallon of water

  • Potted & container plants: Apply 1/4 to 1/3 of the volume of the container that the plant is in

    • Container plants dry out much quicker than in-ground plants. If the plant is dried out too long, the soil separates from the sides of the pot