07/01/2022
It’s time to talk watering folks, so this will be a bit lengthy but if you struggle with watering read on!
Proper watering includes a long, slow, deep, and infrequent soak. Watering daily is a very poor practice, unless it’s a container that dries out quickly or a small plant just recently transplanted.
A slow soak allows the water to deeply surround and soak the root ball. As the soil dries from the top downward the roots will grow down and out, seeking moisture. These deep roots are what will help keep your plant alive through the winter if it is a perennial (tree, shrub or flower). A soaker hose is a great way to accomplish this.
Before watering always gauge the level of moisture in the first several inches of soil. If the soil is still damp, there is no need to water.
DO NOT just spray the soil surface briefly once or twice a day with the nozzle on your hose. The soil ball will remain mostly dry, and the roots will stay shallow and reliant on daily doses of water just to stay alive. With long infrequent soaking, your plants deep roots allow it to go for longer spells without water as it can source moisture deep in the ground. After the 1st year your trees, shrubs, and perennials should only need to be watered during extremely hot dry spells.
Lay your garden hose beside the plant, take the nozzle off, and just let it run, about 20 to 30 minutes for a tree, less for a shrub, and less again if it’s just a small plant.
People generally lose more plants by overwatering than underwatering, so again, feel the soil several inches down before you water!
If you have containers, check the weight of them to help you know if they are heavy or light. Water can run right through a dry pot, leaving the plant very dry still. If the pot is still light after you have watered then it did not soak up the water and you will need to keep watering until it feels heavy. If your pot is already heavy, don’t water again until it becomes much lighter.
Feel free to call or message us with questions, and good luck with your watering!