Wilson's Garden Center

Watering is the most common issue with newly planted trees, shrubs, perennials, and roses. New plants typically need a lot of water for the first year or two as they establish. * Water requirements will vary depending on plant type, weather conditions, time of year, and soil structure.

Imagine thoroughly soaking the entire root ball when watering, as well as the soil around and below it. The goal is to soak below the root system to encourage deep rooting. Water slowly to reduce runoff. This is best achieved with a soaker hose or garden hose left on trickle. Hand watering is not sufficient.

As a guideline, water on a slow trickle for 10 minutes for every gallon size container. For example, a plant that comes from a 1-gallon size container should be slowly watered for 10 minutes, 3-gallon container - 30 minutes, etc.

Do not water every day, which can suffocate roots. Give your new plant a good soaking every couple of days, letting the soil dry out in between waterings. Watering frequencies may vary from week to week, depending on weather conditions.

It is essential to check the soil by hand. Wilted leaves are not always a sign that the plant is thirsty. They can also indicate that the plant is receiving too much water. Individual plants also dry out at different rates, so you will need to check each plant before watering.

Before watering, check your garden's soil moisture with your finger. Push it into the ground around your plants. You want the top 2 or 3 inches of the soil to be dry, and the soil below that to be moist. If the soil clings to your fingers and feels moist to touch, don't water. If the soil falls loosely off your fingers and is dry to the touch, then water.

Do not rely on rain. Use a rain gauge to monitor rainfall accurately. A slow, steady rain with an inch or more within a week period is required to be sufficient.

Morning watering will help to prevent diseases and evaporation of moisture. Continue watering regularly throughout the growing season. You should check the plant's watering needs for at least the first two growing seasons.

Mulch around the plants. Mulching reduces surface runoff and slows evaporation along with reducing weed problems. As a bonus, mulching may prevent certain kinds of soil diseases from coming into contact with your plant's leaves.

If we have a rainy spring, it is even more critical that you monitor watering later in the season.

Do not let plants go into winter dry. One good last soaking before the ground freezes is beneficial, particularly on evergreens.

Containers & Baskets:
In hot weather, containers may need to be watered daily, sometimes twice a day, depending on the pot's size. Water until the water comes out the drainage hole at the bottom. It is important to remember not to let containers sit in water. Always make sure their saucers are empty and that you have good drainage. Remember that you will need to feed your container plants frequently as the fertilizer will leach out of the soil ball with frequent watering.

If possible, do not water the leaves, flowers, and buds of the plant. This encourages diseases such as powdery mildew and can also ruin flower buds. Also, flowers won't last as long if you get them wet, so try to keep them dry!