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.
New plants need special care and attention to help them establish strong root systems and thrive in their new environment. Proper watering is crucial during this initial stage As an avid gardener, I often get asked – how often do you water new plants? The frequency of watering depends on several factors, including the plant variety, soil type, weather conditions, and container vs in-ground planting With some key tips in mind, you can set your new plants up for success.
Getting to Know Your New Plants’ Water Needs
When bringing home new plants, the first step is getting familiar with their specific watering requirements Here are some common plant types and their water needs
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Succulents – Let soil dry between waterings. Water deeply every 7-10 days.
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Vegetable seedlings – Water daily until established. Gradually reduce to 2-3 times per week.
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Annual flowers – Water daily until established. Gradually reduce to 2-3 times per week.
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Perennials & shrubs – Water 2-3 times per week until established. Gradually reduce frequency.
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Trees – Water 2-3 times per week the first season. Established trees every 2-4 weeks.
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Container plants – Water daily or every other day in warm weather. Reduce in cool weather.
While these schedules provide a helpful starting point, observing your plants and soil is the best way to dial in proper watering.
Watering Tips for New Plantings
When caring for new plants, follow these tips to set them up for success:
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Water at the base: Direct water to the root zone, not leaves. Use a watering wand or soaker hose.
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Water deeply: Slow, deep watering grows healthier roots. Aim for moisture 6-12 inches down.
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Water in morning: Less evaporation so more water reaches roots. Avoid watering at night.
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Check soil: Before watering, check if soil is dry 2-6 inches down. Don’t water if still damp.
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Reduce frequency: Water more often at first, then taper off as plants establish. Switch to less frequent, deeper watering.
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Consider climate: Hot and dry weather requires more frequent watering. Account for rainfall.
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Don’t drown roots: Ensure soil drains well. Let dry between waterings.
Following these best practices encourages deep, robust root systems that will sustain plants for the long haul.
Watering Frequency for New Container Plants
Container plants need more frequent watering than in-ground plantings. Their soil dries out faster with full sun exposure and air circulating over the limited soil volume. Here are guidelines for watering new container plants:
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First 2 weeks – Water daily or every other day.
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3-8 weeks – Water every 2-3 days.
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2-3 months – Water every 4-5 days.
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After establishment – Water daily to every 2-3 days.
In hot weather, newly planted containers may need watering twice a day. Check soil daily and don’t let it get completely dry. Feed with a diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Monitor closely and adjust as needed through the seasons.
Watering Frequency for New In-Ground Plants
For new in-ground plantings, follow this general schedule as a starting point:
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First 2 weeks – Water thoroughly every day or every other day.
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3-8 weeks – Water 2-3 times per week.
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2-3 months – Water 1-2 times per week.
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After establishment – Water weekly, or more/less often depending on rainfall.
Pay close attention in the first months. Stick your finger into the soil to gauge moisture at the root level every few days and adjust as needed. Monitor all in-ground plantings and gradually reduce watering frequency as they establish deeper roots.
Advanced Tricks for Watering New Plants
Beyond the basics, here are some additional tips for successfully watering new plants:
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Group plants with similar needs to simplify watering.
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Add a thin layer of mulch to help retain moisture.
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Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to automatically water.
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Water early in the day to reduce evaporation.
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Check soil moisture with a probe before watering.
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Set up rain barrels to supplement with stored rainwater.
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Use moisture-retaining gels and polymers in container soil.
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Rely more on thorough, less frequent deep watering.
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Keep a garden journal to track plant health and watering needs.
Learning how often to water new plants takes some trial and error. But armed with these tips, you can help your new plants quickly establish and thrive in your landscape or containers. Focus on deep, infrequent watering and adjusting based on each plant’s needs. Before long, you’ll have vigorously growing, healthy plants that can better fend for themselves!
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.
How Often Should I Water the Garden?
FAQ
Can you over water new plants?
Don’t worry about overwatering newly planted plants, as long as the soil drains properly. Most plants require the soil to drain regardless if it is new or established.
How often should you water plants when you first plant them?
Week one: Water plants daily or every other day. Recently planted roots will absorb moisture from a small area until they begin to grow. Week two onward: Unless the weather is extremely hot and dry, you may be able to decrease watering frequency to two or three times per week until the fall rains begin.
What are the three rules of watering?
- Water your plants evenly. Your plants depend on moisture. …
- Water occasionally, but thoroughly. …
- Water in the morning or evening. …
- Keep the foliage dry. …
- Water slowly and deeply. …
- Irrigate to save water.
How often should you water a new plant?
With all these factors in mind, you will generally need to water all new plants (even drought tolerant plants) deeply every time you water. Wetting the soil 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) deep encourages roots to grow deeply. Allowing the soil and roots to slightly dry out between waterings encourages the roots to reach out, seeking water on their own.
How often should you water a plant if it is drought tolerant?
To ensure proper growth for new plants (including drought tolerant ones), you should water them deeply every time_, wetting the soil 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) deep. This encourages roots to grow deeply. Allow the soil and roots to slightly dry out between waterings to encourage the roots to reach out and seek water on their own.
How much water do you need to plant a new plant?
Likewise, if you are planting during the dry season, you will need to water more. With all these factors in mind, you will generally need to water all new plants (even drought tolerant plants) deeply every time you water. Wetting the soil 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) deep encourages roots to grow deeply.
How often should you water a plant in cold weather?
In cold climates keep the roots watered right through winter since most root growth happens in cool weather. New perennials and annuals should be watered every few days for the first week or two. They have very small root systems and should not dry out at all. After two weeks reduce watering and only water when needed.
How often should you water a new tree & shrub?
Newly planted trees and shrubs need more frequent watering than established trees and shrubs. They should be watered daily for 1-2 weeks after planting. After 12 weeks, watering is no longer necessary. If the soil is too dry or too wet, the plants may not be able to take up the water. If this is the case, you may need to add more water to the pot.
How often should I water my Garden?
If you are watering new plants, you will need to adjust your watering habits based on the soil conditions and the season. If your soil is too sandy or mostly clay, you will have to adjust your soil. In a rainy season, you will need to water less. Conversely, in the dry season, you will need to water more.