It’s the dog days of summer and the windy, hot, sunny days can quickly dry out your newly installed plants. In nature a plant’s root system is usually 2-3 times the width of the plants canopy at the drip line. Newly installed plants do not have a root system of this size leaving them more susceptible to extremely dry or wet conditions.

Generally, it takes most plants 1-3 years to establish an adequate root system that can sustain them through periods of drought. Plants need at least 1” of rainfall per week throughout the growing season to survive. If nature doesn’t oblige, we recommend watering your new plantings weekly and deeply. Deep watering means that the water penetrates to the full depth of the root ball.

This is best achieved using a hose. First prevent runoff by building a saucer from soil around the dripline of your plant. Set the hose at the base of the plant and let it run gently so that the water saturates the soil to the depth required. 

For a root ball about 1 foot across, you will need about 5 gallons of water to penetrate the root ball. You can determine your hose flow rate by setting a timer while filling a bucket of a known size. Use this information to calculate how long you should then water your plant. More water will be needed for a larger root ball. On average 10 gallons is recommended for a 2-foot root ball and so on.

Inadequate watering can cause a shallow, sensitive root system. Our recommended deep watering encourages the roots to grow down and further out in search of water; establishing a strong, large root system is necessary for the health and stability of the plant.

During periods of heat, drought and wind, we recommend watering twice a week. If your soil is sandy and dry some plants may need more water. Learning about and understanding your soil and the moisture needs of your plants will help you care for them. Wilting plants can be a sign of under or over watering. Before watering each week, investigate the soil by digging down about 12” in depth just outside the outer edge of the plant’s root ball, testing the soil moisture with your fingers. The soil should be consistently moist, but not soggy. If the soil is overly wet skip watering that plant.

Alternative methods of watering like sprinklers, drip irrigation and tree watering bags can be useful especially when hose watering is impossible. These methods rarely achieve the deep watering that new plantings require and may result in plant failure. Hose watering should always be your first choice. If you use these alternative methods run them less frequently for longer periods of time, preferably once in the morning for several hours. Check to make sure that the soil is adequately moist. Whenever possible supplement these alternative watering techniques with deep hose watering.

It is crucial to continue watering through the fall up until the ground freezes. A water-stressed plant is more vulnerable to insects, diseases, winter burn and death. Proper watering is the No.1 way to protect your investment and keep your garden thriving. 

O’Donal’s, a local, independent, employee-owned nursery and gift shop (since 2023) offers an inspiring selection of healthy, hardy plants. The professional team is always eager to answer your horticultural questions.