Watering Directions
Note: These are general directions for most trees and shrubs. Please understand that not every plant needs the same watering schedule and care. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to click here to contact us. Anyone on our staff would be happy to assist you in understanding the care needs for your specific plant.
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INITIAL PLANTING: Water the first 2-3 days consistently and deeply saturate the root ball using a very slow trickle out of the hose for 30-45min daily. For plantings in the heat of summer, water this way for the first 6 - 8 days.
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REGULAR WATERING:
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For Two Weeks After Initial Planting, check the soil moisture daily and water deeply if the top 6 inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Direct water at the root system and not the leaves of the plant.
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During The First Year After Planting, follow the Watering Schedule Chart we have made below. Keep an eye on your plants as you will need to make adjustments in how you're watering throughout the year to accommodate seasonal changes
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After The First Full Year, check the soil moisture at least once a week and water if the soil feels dry at 6 inches below ground level. This is especially important to help the roots of new plants get established in the soil.
Be careful not to overwater. Many people have inadvertently drowned newly planted trees by watering them too often. Water should soak in quickly; your plants should never sit in a puddle of water for an extended period of time. This can lead to root damage.
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SOIL MOISTURE: Pay attention to how much moisture is present between waterings. If the soil dries quickly after watering, you may need to increase your watering frequency. If the soil around your tree is slow to dry and very wet, you may need to reduce your watering frequency. We have a number of products available to amend the soil around your plant to aid in moisture retention and drainage. Check out our products page to discover how we can help!
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ACCLIMATION: It is normal for new plants to shed a few leaves or appear wilted while they acclimate to their new location - especially in the summer. This is called transplant shock. After a few months and regular watering, it should return to normal. To aid in the acclimation of your plant, we suggest using a Fertilome Root Stimulator or BioChar Vital Blend along with regular watering - available for purchase in various sizes here at our store
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NOTICING ISSUES? Contact Us if your plant exhibits any of these symptoms after 2 - 3 months:
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Excessive wilting or leaf loss
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Brown "burn spots on leaves"
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Stunted, small new growth
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Yellowing of interior leaves
Watering Guide
The following are approximate quantities of water you should apply to your newer plants each time you water.
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Refer to the larger table below to determine how frequently you should water. For periods of rain (1/2" or more) adjust accordingly by possibly skipping a watering session for that day if need be. During periods where daytime high temperature exceeds 95ºF, please provide at least 1 additional watering time per week​​​​
2-5 Gallon Container
7-10 Gallon Container
15-25 Gallon Container
1.5"-2" Caliper
2"-3" Caliper
3"+ Caliper
Size of Plant
2-3 Gallons
3-4 Gallons
4-5 Gallons
5-10 Gallons
10-15 Gallons
15-20+ Gallons
Amount of Water
4-5 Gallons
6-7 Gallons
7-9 Gallons
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10-15 Gallons
15-18 Gallons
20-23+ Gallons
Amount of Water if Temps Exceed 95ºF
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Ways to Water
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Water Hose - In our opinion, the best and most efficient method is to apply water directly to the soil by running a hose right up to the base of the stem/trunk and leaving it on at a slow trickle. Or, use a soaker hose to water over the root system.
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Drip Irrigation - Drip or trickle irrigation is one of the most effective and water-efficient methods of watering. The system discharges small quantities of water on a regular basis directly to the root zone under a tree or shrub. Very little water is lost to the air through evaporation.
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"Gator Bags" - Tree watering bags placed at the base of newly planted trees and shrubs provide a slow method of delivering water to the roots. They are often used by commercial landscapers but are available for retail customers here at our store. Check it out on our products page.​ A five-gallon bucket with a few small holes drilled into the bottom will work similarly to a tree watering bag. Fill the bucket and walk away! Allow the water to trickle onto the root area slowly.
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Sprinklers - While not the most recommended or preferred option by McKinley Garden Center for newly planted trees and shrubs, Sprinklers can be portable and moved around the landscape as needed or they can be permanently-installed systems. The uniformity of watering depends on the type of sprinklers used, water pressure, and wind conditions. Closely monitor watering patterns to make sure targeted plants receive adequate water and to check that water is not running onto hard surfaces like sidewalks and driveways where it will be wasted. Overhead watering by showering the foliage can also increase disease problems, especially if the water sits on the leaves for a prolonged period of time and/or overnight.
Watering Tips & Info
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Balancing plant watering and nutritional needs is like having a healthy diet. Everything should be consumed in moderation. Provide your plants with enough water and nutrients for good health, but don't flood them with it. Too much water or too much fertilizer can be equally as detrimental to a plant's life than not enough.
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DRAINAGE TEST​
The best way to know how water behaves in your soil is to dig a test hole one to two feet deep and fill with water. If it drains away in an hour or two you have good drainage which typically means your soil is sandier in composition. If it drains overnight, you have adequate drainage. If it stands any longer than that, you have poor drainage which typically means it has more clay compositionally. Poor soil drainage does not mean your soil isn't adequate for planting.
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RAIN GAUGE​
Set a rain gauge in an open area of your garden to learn how much water your garden receives in a season. Once each week, check the depth of the water inside and empty your rain gauge. Add the depth recorded to a list of weekly amounts. Using simple mathematics, add the recorded depths together and divide that total by the number of weeks depths have been recorded - this will give you an average water amount per week for your garden for any length of time/specific period of time.
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MOISTURE METERS​
Moisture meters, which tell you if the soil is wet, moist, or dry at the root level, are especially effective for large potted plants
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WATER IN THE MORNING​
Watering in the mornings gives plants a chance to absorb the moisture before the hot sun or strong winds evaporate the water. It also allows the leaves to dry before evening. Frequent wet foliage during the night can lead to fungal diseases.
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WATER ONLY WHEN NEEDED​
Water timers are a great invention, but you should not automatically water your lawn and garden without checking the moisture. Too much water can be just as damaging to plants as too little water. Before watering, check your garden's soil moisture with your finger. Put your finger down past the first knuckle into the ground around your plants. If the soil clings to your fingers and feels moist to touch, don't water. If, soil falls loosely off your fingers and is dry to the touch, then it may need water.
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WATER DEEPLY​
The best way to water is to apply it at a rate that the soil will absorb without runoff. This allows the water to penetrate deeply into the soil and will help your plants to grow deep root systems as the roots will chase the water downward into the moist soil below.
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TREES AND SHRUBS​
In order to encourage healthy root growth, you need to provide enough water to soak the entire root ball. An open hose placed at the base of a tree with the water flowing slowly will provide needed water to the root zone. A thorough watering should last 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of the root ball.
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EVERGREENS
Trees or shrubs that have needles or leaves that remain green on the plant through the winter should be deeply watered in the fall before the ground freezes if precipitation has been insufficient. Evergreens continue to lose water during the winter, especially when the temperature is above 40°F and on sunny, windy days. If the soil is dry, the plants may become desiccated, turn brown, and die, even if those symptoms don’t become obvious until spring.
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CONTAINERS​
In hot weather, plants in containers may need to be watered every day and sometimes even twice a day depending on the size of the pot. 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.
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MULCHING
Mulching reduces surface runoff and slows evaporation increasing moisture retention along with reducing weed problems. As an added bonus mulching will add nutrients to the soil around your plants as it decomposes over time. Bonus-bonus - mulching in some cases may also prevent certain kinds of soil diseases from coming into contact with your plant's foliage.
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