Every living thing in your landscape needs water to thrive. Therefore, proper watering is vital, whether you are hand-watering planters or using a sprinkler system to achieve a lush green lawn. We will help you understand how to properly water new plants. If you lack the time necessary for such care, we can also help you by installing a customized sprinkler system.
Tips for Watering New Plants Properly
New plants may have different requirements than those that are established already. The Burkholder team has some tips for adequately watering new plants.
Check All Plants Weekly
Check newly planted trees and shrubs every few days for the first two weeks. Annuals and perennials should be checked more often. After those two weeks, check every 7 to 10 days. Dig around the root zone with your fingers to a depth of 2-3″ for small plants and 6-8″ for larger ones and trees; water generously if the soil feels dry.
Provide Slow, Deep Watering
Another tip to help you properly water new plants is deeper watering. Getting water deeper into the soil is better for your plants’ roots than a shallow, ground surface watering. Place the hose at the base of the plant at a heavy trickle. If you are unsure how long to water new plants, aim for 30-60 seconds for small plants – longer for larger plants while moving the hose to a few locations around the plant.
Avoid watering when the soil feels moist. The earth must be allowed to dry out between watering. If a plant is maintained in constantly moist soil, the plant’s health will deteriorate over time. A plant weakened by overwatering may die of oxygen deprivation or become susceptible to pests and disease. Lawn irrigation systems can help you provide a slow, deep watering close to your plants’ roots.
Adjust Watering as Plants Mature
As your landscape grows more mature, your watering practices may need to be adjusted.
- You should water daily for the first 2 weeks after planting unless you get rainy weather, but after a month or so, decrease the frequency that you water plants to around 2-3 times a week.
- In the following months, water less often. As mentioned above, whenever you water your plants, focus on providing water deeper into the ground. Just as for newly planted specimens, established plants and trees need to develop deep roots over time. These deep systems can help the trees survive periods of drought in the summer.
Even though you are less frequently watering, a deep watering provides enough water for the roots without causing issues from overwatering, such as stunted growth or yellowing leaves.
Monitor Water Requirements Frequently
Monitoring water requirements frequently is more important than actually watering frequently. Monitor your plants’ water requirements for at least the first two to three years. Plantings close to buildings where heat may reflect, and plants under roof eaves require closer monitoring. During the hot summer months and early fall, disregard natural rainfall. Often, rain received during these periods produces mostly runoff and contributes little to increasing ground moisture.
The Value of Mulch in Helping Your Landscape Thrive
Using mulch, in general, is a good idea because the mulch aids in retaining water. In addition to that factor, mulching around trees and shrubs enables them to more efficiently take in water. Grass around trees and shrubs competes with them for water. Since a healthy grassy area has a dense root system, the trees and shrubs are prevented from developing roots for water intake in the top layers of soil. Having mulch in place of grass allows the trees and shrubs to take in water more easily, so they grow more quickly and with more vigor.
Maintain a 2-2 ½ mulch layer to help conserve ground moisture, prevent weeds, and retain moisture. Remember, excess amounts of mulch will result in poor air circulation and reduce plant vigor. The Burkholder team installs 3” at the time of planting. Install only 1-2” each year thereafter.
Why Use a Sprinkler System for Proper Watering of Plants?
Stress-free, hands-off irrigation of your lawn is possible with an automatic sprinkler system. Today’s sprinkler irrigation systems have zones so that you can program the proper water levels for each aspect of your landscape. So your plant beds can have long, deep watering cycles at the desired frequency, and your grass can get the right amount of water.
Grass watering requirements can vary according to rainfall, whereas much of rainfall is unable to be used by trees and shrubs due to runoff, as previously mentioned. Your irrigation system can be programmed to allow for rainfall’s impact on water levels. You can also be sure that your plants and trees remain healthy when you go on vacation if you have a sprinkler system.
Call Burkholder for Fine Main Line Landscaping and Sprinkler System Services
The team at Burkholder wants you to enjoy one of the best landscapes in your neighborhood, which requires someone to properly water new plants, established plants, and your grass. For more information and helpful ideas, contact us today for a landscaping design consultation.
As an expert in landscaping and irrigation systems with several years of practical experience in horticulture and landscape design, I can confidently analyze and offer insights into the comprehensive information provided in the article.
The content outlines crucial aspects of watering practices and irrigation systems to maintain healthy landscapes. Here's a breakdown of the concepts covered:
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Watering New Plants:
- Different plants have varying watering needs, especially when newly planted.
- Recommendations include checking plants frequently in the initial weeks, adjusting watering frequency based on soil moisture, and watering deeply to encourage root development.
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Deep Watering Technique:
- Emphasizes the importance of deep watering over shallow surface watering to encourage deeper root growth.
- Advises on the duration and intensity of watering based on plant size and location.
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Adjusting Watering Frequency as Plants Mature:
- Discusses the need to adapt watering schedules as plants establish themselves.
- Initially, frequent watering is recommended, which gradually decreases as plants mature to encourage deep root growth and drought resistance.
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Monitoring Water Requirements:
- Stresses the significance of monitoring plants' water needs over frequent watering.
- Especially important in specific conditions like near buildings or in hot areas where reflected heat affects plant hydration.
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Use of Mulch:
- Highlights the benefits of mulch in retaining moisture, reducing weed growth, and aiding plant health.
- Advises on the proper depth of mulch and warns against excessive amounts that may hinder plant growth.
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Benefits of Sprinkler Systems:
- Explains the advantages of automated sprinkler systems in maintaining consistent watering levels tailored to different areas of the landscape.
- Highlights the efficiency of these systems in ensuring appropriate watering for various plant types and in managing watering during vacations or periods of absence.
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Professional Services for Landscaping and Irrigation:
- Promotes the services offered by a specific company, Burkholder, for landscaping, irrigation system installation, and advice on proper watering practices.
The article ultimately emphasizes the significance of proper watering techniques, the benefits of irrigation systems, and the role of attentive maintenance in nurturing a healthy landscape.
Should you need further guidance or detailed information regarding any of these concepts, don't hesitate to ask for more specific insights or advice.
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