In order to protect your investment, proper
watering is essential during the initial establishment period.
The following are some tips on how to water newly planted
grass, shrubs, trees, and flowering annuals.
Lawns: Newly planted lawns need a most
soil to become properly established. This means thorough watering.
The soil must not be allowed to dry out. This may require
daily deep watering, if the soil is sandy and porous. When
watering, it is most important to thoroughly moisten the top
6"-12" of the soil to promote deep root growth. We recommend
3-4 hours at a time to achieve proper penetration (total of
¾" of water). The length of time per watering should always
remain consistent, while the frequency should vary depending
on time of year and amount of rainfall. A properly watered
lawn will become established within 3-4 weeks. At that point
the lawn should be watered only when it shows signs of wilt,
primarily indicated by a bluish-gray color.
Shrubs: Whether planting new shrubs or
transplanting old ones, thorough watering is a must during
the initial period of establishment. This period usually lasts
about 6 weeks. If using a lawn sprinkler, 3-4 hours at a time
is recommended. If watering by hand, create a basin around
the plant, and fill the basin twice, allowing the soil to
drain between watering. Once again, the frequency of watering
depends upon the soil type, weather conditions, and contour
of the land (top of hill vs foot of a slope).
Trees: Newly planted trees will have
basically the same requirements as shrubs, only a slightly
larger scale, depending on the size tree. If you have doubts,
check the soil around the root ball (at least 6" deep) for
moisture. Remember: Water thoroughly, but allow soil to drain
between watering. Proper draining is the key.
Annuals: Flowering annuals and perennials,
such as marigolds, salvia, impatiens, and begonias, should
be watered daily when grown outdoors. This is especially important
during hot dry periods of weather. Again, as with lawns, a
thorough deep watering is desired.
Special Note: Too much water can be just
as harmful as not enough water. So, if your shrubs or trees
are wilting and you've been watering constantly, check the
soil around the root ball; you may be drowning (and killing)
your plants.
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