How To Water Your New Garden

You’ve done some work to your garden or landscape and now it looks fabulous! How do you keep it looking great? Watering is key! It can be very tricky because watering needs can vary greatly from site to site. The amount of water your gardens need depends on how much or how little sun they get, the drainage and structure of your soil and they type of plants you have.

Keep a close eye on your plants to make sure they are getting enough water (or not too much water). Droopy leaves are the first signs of an under watered plant.

Check new plantings everyday- they may not need to be watered each time but it’s smart to keep a close eye on them for about 2 weeks to get a good idea about their water needs.

I suggest watering new plantings by hand with a gentle shower nozzle at the base of each plant. This saves water, allows you to check in on each plant individually and delivers water right to the roots where the plant needs it.

Water less often, more deeply

It’s better to water for a little bit longer, fewer times a week. This encourages deeper root establishment which is best for your plantings long term.

 Water By Hand, Not By Sprinkler

I discourage using a sprinkler, especially if you have clay soils, because it’s too easy to mistakenly overwater your plantings. Plants have unique watering needs that may not be met by a catch all sprinkler method of watering. If one plant is thriving it doesn’t mean that all plants should be thriving. It is important that you are checking in on each plant individually in order to have a healthy beautiful garden!  Always make sure to be checking your new plantings, no matter what the season.  It doesn’t take long for a plant to go from “a little wilty” to completely dead.

Expect to keep a close eye on your new plantings for about 3-4 weeks. You’ll need to water as needed for about a year or 2, especially during droughts and on especially hot weeks . Once plantings are established you’ll only need to water occasionally on extremely hot days.

Watering by Season

Spring plantings need less water to become established and should be watered roughly 2 to 3 times a week for a month, then as needed and on warmer days.

Summer plantings need the most watering attention. Plants that have been transplanted from one spot to another will likely need water about every day in warmer weather (especially if planted in the sun) until they are established (stop wilting so much). These plants often demonstrate moderate to severe leaf die back but often re establish growth with new leaves within a few weeks!

Fall plantings are my favorite. Plantings in the fall still need watering attention on a weekly basis. The roots establish well which prepares the plants for the rapid growth that will come next spring.  Check new fall plantings about 2-3 times a week. They may only need to be watered once, depending on recent rain amounts and your soil and sun exposure

Plants are Forgiving

If you over or under water plants are forgiving- as long as it doesn’t happen for too long! Keep a close eye on your plants and you can adjust your routine if they start looking bad. Don’t give up! Perennials, shrubs, and trees will drop older leaves if over or under watered and still have new growth come back!

Watering by Type

Annuals

Annuals are by far the most water sensitive. You’ll need to check them everyday, especially if they are growing in a sunny container.  They can dry out fast so keep a close eye on these!

Perennials

Perennials can me more sensitive than trees and shrubs and, generally, need watering more often while becoming established. If they are not watered properly they often bounce

Trees

Trees need to be watered well until they are established but often 1-2 times a week of a deep watering (10 minutes at the base) should suffice. They are also more forgiving and will bounce back if over or under watered, as long as the problem is noticed and adjusted!

4 Tips to Keep Your Plants Watered in the Summer

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