- Know your plant and what quantity of water each plant type needs to thrive. Trees need 15 minutes twice a week in heat. Shrubs ditto for 2 minutes. Perennials daily. WATER ALL PLANTS AT THE BASE. NOT THE LEAF. Sprinkle leaves after the root feed just for a brief shower, but not in the maximum heat of the day. Evening is fine, unless the plant has been left too long during a hot day. If you are busy or working all day, make it a priority to water when you get home.
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- Know your plant and what quantity of water each plant type needs to thrive. Trees need 15 minutes twice a week in heat. Shrubs ditto for 2 minutes. Perennials daily. WATER ALL PLANTS AT THE BASE. NOT THE LEAF
- Lawn oscillators do not do a new plant justice. They can be more harmful.
- Water your trees and shrubs thoroughly after planting, at the base of the tree and slowly trickle feed, not full speed.
- Water the rootball or the area directly below the plant rather than the leaves. The leaves can take in water, but the main uptake of water and nutrients is through the roots.
- Water your trees and shrubs thoroughly after planting.
- Continue to water plants regularly for the first season they are planted. Proper watering is especially crucial during this time as the plants are working to establish themselves in the landscape and to overcome any transplant shock.
- Deep, less frequent watering is better than frequent, shallow watering. This promotes deep root growth and can reduce water loss by evaporation.
- In an area with a heavy clay soil, the water percolates slowly into the ground, so water at a slower rate to help reduce run off.
- The best time to water is during the morning hours. Afternoon watering tends to increase the chances of water loss through evaporation. Watering at night increases the likelihood of fungal infections.
- Mulch around your plantings. This helps to reduce evaporation and to suppress weeds.
- Control your weeds - they will be competing with your plants for the same water.
Initially the root ball will need to be watered directly because roots have not yet spread into the surrounding soil. The raised soil water ring will help concentrate the water in the root ball area. Water the plant slowly and well after mulching. It is important to note that many plants die from too little or too much water during the first few months after planting. Plants in well-drained soil often get too little water, and those in poorly drained soil get too much water.
Tips:
- An alternative to a hand held garden hose is a five gallon bucket with a small hole drilled in the side near the bottom. Simply fill the bucket and let the water slowly leak out.
- Basins, as described above, work well around individual shrubs.
Water coming out of the end of the hose that has been laying out in the yard can be very hot when first turned on, hot enough to damage plant leaves. Let the hot water run onto bare ground or a mulched area until it cools off before sprinkling plants.
- Water the rootball or the area directly below the plant rather than the leaves. The leaves can take in water, but the main uptake of water and nutrients is through the roots.
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