Watering
New Plantings by
Landscape Concepts
A
regular watering program is essential to establish
your new planting. The key to successful
watering is remembering that the roots of your new
plant are in very contained areas. Water needs
to be applied directly to the root area.
Container-grown
shrubs should be watered by holding a hose directly
over the center of the shrub. Count to ten then
move to the next plant. Repeat this several
times until each plant is thoroughly watered.
Larger containers will require more applications of
water than small containers to wet the soil down
through the entire root zone.
Allow
the root area to dry out somewhat before the next
watering. Natural rainfall and temperatures will
determine the frequency of water. In hot weather
you may have to water daily immediately after
planting. If temperatures are cooler, you may
only need to water every 3-5 days. The goal is
to gradually reduce the frequency of watering until
you are on a once-a-week schedule. You should
anticipate watering regularly for the first two
years. Once shrubs are established, it should be
necessary to water only during periods of heat or
drought.
Balled
trees should be watered thoroughly every 7 to 10
days. Lay a hose directly over the root ball and
allow the water to slowly trickle for 30-60
minutes. Move the hose around the ball 2 or 3
times, or as needed to wet the entire root area.
Water trees regularly for the first 2 years.
Again, adjust watering frequency to the amount of
rainfall. One way to test the moisture content
of the root ball is to push a metal stake into the
ball. If it inserts easily there is still
moisture in the soil.
Perennial
plants, annual flowers, and groundcover require
shallow and frequent watering during their
establishment. Most of these plants are supplied
in small containers and have a proportionately sized
root system. Water these plants regularly for
the first few weeks. As feeder roots develop,
reduce the frequency of watering until you are on a
once-a-week schedule.
Plants
can die from drought, but they can also drown in wet
soil. Check your soil regularly and adjust your
watering accordingly.
|
