Watering Tips

During periods of extreme heat and wind folks are concerned about watering their newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials. Watering depends on weather conditions, the type of tree, shrub or plant. It’s better to put a soaker hose around your plants and newly planted perennials and shrubs.  You want the water to go deep and the roots will follow the moisture and stay deep in the soil. Here are some watering strategies for dry weather, condensed from “The Complete Gardener’s Almanac” by Marjorie Willison. 

Newly planted trees & shrubs

• Essential to water deeply once a week for the first month, and once every week or 2 thereafter
• Sprinkling daily is useless

• Water deeply in dry periods, every 10 to 14 days
• Important to keep the weeds down and mulch
• Should be watered before and during flowering

• Should be kept evenly moist throughout the growing season
• Deep watering a couple times a week is better than every day
• Potatoes can go with very little water until they develop tubers
• Root Crops such as carrots and turnip should receive a little water when young, after that water only once every 2-3 weeks 
• Zucchini needs plenty of water when it is fruiting and cucumbers are less likely to be bitter if they have an even supply of moisture and temperatures do not fluctuate too much
• Peas and Beans do not need watering until they begin flowering unless they are actually wilting. Too much water can lead to lush growth and lack of flowering.  Water twice a week at flowering time.
• Corn needs heavy watering at the tasselling stage and when kernels are swelling
• Lettuce, spinach, leafy crops all need frequent watering
• Herbs should be watered daily until well established

• Should be watered every day until they are well established