Proper watering is one of the most important parts of keeping landscape plants healthy, but it is not as simple as setting an irrigation timer and forgetting about it. Newly planted beds, seasonal color, shrubs, and trees can have very different watering needs, even within different areas of the same property.

The Dreamscapes recommends checking your plants and soil regularly and adjusting watering based on actual conditions. Rainfall, temperature, sun exposure, drainage, soil type, and how recently a plant was installed can all affect how much water it needs.

Don't Set Plant Watering to Autopilot

Walk through the property regularly and look for changes in the plants. Wilting, drooping, shriveled foliage, or dry soil can indicate that a plant needs water. Yellowing leaves can have several causes, so check the soil before assuming the plant needs more water. If the soil remains consistently wet, excessive watering or poor drainage may be part of the problem.

You can check moisture with a soil moisture meter or simply use your finger to feel the soil below the surface. The goal is to water when the root zone needs it rather than watering every part of the landscape on the same automatic schedule.

The Dreamscapes provides landscape care for homeowners throughout Acworth, Kennesaw, Marietta, Woodstock, Dallas, Emerson, Cartersville, Canton, Atlanta, and surrounding Northwest Georgia communities.

How Much Water Do Established Plants Need?

As a general guideline, many established landscape plants need about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. Actual needs vary with the plant, weather, soil, and location, so this should be treated as a starting point rather than a fixed rule.

Deep, less frequent watering is usually more beneficial than frequent shallow watering because it encourages moisture to reach farther into the root zone. If there is enough rainfall during the week, additional irrigation may not be necessary.

For more information, see the University of Georgia Extension's Guide for Care of Ornamental Plants.

Check How Well Your Irrigation System Is Watering

An irrigation system should not be assumed to provide the same amount of water everywhere. Different zones, sprinkler heads, slopes, and planting areas can all affect coverage.

For newly installed plants, we recommend paying especially close attention during the first month rather than relying entirely on the automatic controller. A simple catch-can test can help you understand how much water a particular zone is actually applying:

• Place five empty tuna cans or similar shallow containers around the irrigation zone: one near each corner and one near the middle.
• Mark the inside of each container at 1/2 inch.
• Run the irrigation zone and check the containers every 5 to 10 minutes.
• Record how long it takes to collect approximately 1/2 inch of water.
• If the goal for that area is about 1 inch per week, use that measurement as a starting point and adjust for rainfall and current soil moisture.

Continue checking the soil each week. If some containers collect substantially more or less water than others, the zone may not be distributing water evenly. For sprinkler adjustments, repairs, or system evaluations, see our Irrigation Services.

Watering Newly Planted Trees, Shrubs and Beds

New plants need more frequent attention while their roots become established. The schedule below is a starting point, not a rule. Before watering, check the soil a few inches below the surface. If it is still moist, wait and check again later. If it is beginning to dry, water thoroughly.

• First Week: Water thoroughly immediately after planting so the entire root ball and surrounding soil are moist. During hot or dry weather, check the soil again after 2 to 3 days. Water again only if the root zone is beginning to dry. In cool weather or after significant rainfall, the soil may remain moist for a week or longer.
  
  
• Second Week: In summer, check the soil every 3 to 4 days and water thoroughly when the root zone begins to dry. In winter, check the soil about once a week and water only when needed. Cooler temperatures, plant dormancy, and seasonal rainfall usually mean much less supplemental watering is required.
  
  
• Third and Fourth Weeks: Continue checking soil moisture at least once or twice a week. As the plant begins to establish, gradually increase the time between waterings rather than watering automatically on fixed days.
  
  
• After the First Month: Continue monitoring new plantings regularly until they are well established. Water when the root zone begins to dry, taking rainfall, temperature, soil type, and the individual plant into account.

For newly planted trees, the water needs to reach the root ball rather than simply wetting the surface. A slow-drip garden hose or soaker hose placed over the root area can help moisture soak gradually into the soil. Check the soil during and after watering to make sure the root zone is moist without remaining saturated.

Need help keeping your landscape healthy? Call The Dreamscapes at 678-574-4008 or request a free estimate online for professional landscape maintenance and plant care.