Start New Plants of Right: Smart Watering Will Make A Big Difference

1. Wat e r i n g
start new plants off right!
Smart watering will make a big difference
in the long-term health of new plants.
year 1 years 2 & 3
(spring through fall, Water deeply only once or twice per
when weather is dry) week. Exactly how often and how long
you water will depend on your soil and
When planting: Water plants as soon other conditions. Follow the tips on
as you get them in the ground. Allow the next page.
the water to soak in, then water again
until the soil is thoroughly moistened. after year 3
Properly planted and
Week one: Water plants daily or every
watered plants should be
other day. Just-planted roots will be
fairly well established, and can
able to absorb soil moisture from only
thrive with less watering than you
a small area until they begin to grow.
may expect. Drought-tolerant plants
may need no supplemental water,
Week two onward: Unless the
whereas shallow-rooted plants or plants
weather is extremely hot and dry, you
with greater water needs may need
may be able to decrease watering
water weekly. Many plants, when
frequency to two or three times per
selected for the conditions in your
week until the fall rains begin.
yard, may need watering only once
or twice a month in dry weather.
Deeper, less frequent watering
will grow plants with healthier and more extensive roots so plants
are more resilient to stress and drier conditions.

2. tips
water smart living
special
considerations
Drought-tolerant plants
Even drought- tolerant
plants need regular water
• Use water wisely! Water plants • Recheck soil after watering. until they are established!
when they need it, and apply At least an hour after you water
water according to your soil type (or two hours with clay soil), Container plants
and the weather. Do not apply probe soil to see how deeply the Planted containers tend
water faster than the soil can water penetrated. If it didn’t to dry out quickly,
absorb it. reach the root zone, you may particularly unglazed clay
need to increase your watering. pots. Check them daily
• Water in the morning, so less If the area is soggy, try cutting during the summer by
water is lost to evaporation. back on watering next time. sticking your finger into
the soil. If it’s dry down to
• Choose the right watering • Encourage deep roots by the first knuckle on your
method. A soaker hose applies allowing the top inch or two of index finger, add water.
water directly to the soil and soil to dry before watering again. Always apply enough water
reduces evaporation. If you are so that some drips out of
planting a few plants in an existing • Pick the right plant for the the bottom drain hole.
planting bed, hand watering can right place. Choose plants that
get the new plants the water they are pest-resistant, require less Shallow-rooted plants
need while not overwatering the water, and match the sun, shade, Shallow-rooted plants
rest of the bed. and soil in your yard. such as rhododendrons,
azaleas, heathers, and
• Get to know your soil, as it • Avoid planting in hot, dry bedding plants may need
greatly affects watering weather which can easily stress more frequent watering
frequency and duration. plants. If you must plant in than other plants.
summer, plant in the cool of the
• Check soil moisture before morning when less water is lost to Young trees
watering. Probe soil with a spade evaporation. Young trees need deep
or trowel. Generally, you want the regular watering. During
soil to be dry an inch or two below • Mulch for moisture. Mulching times of little or no rain,
the surface before you water. the surface of the soil reduces water deeply once a week
evaporation so you can water until trees become
less often. established.
For free garden advice and information,
please contact The Garden Hotline at (206) 633-0224 or
help@gardenhotline.org or visit www.savingwater.org.
Saving Water Partnership is a consortium of Seattle Public
Utilities and 17 other local utilities that funds water conservation
programs and promotes water smart living practices.