Start new plants off right!
Deeper, infrequent watering helps plants grow healthy extensive roots, that stand up better to drought stress. Smart watering makes a big difference in the health of new plants!
Year 1
Spring through fall, when weather is dry.
- When planting: Water plants as soon as you get them in the ground. Allow the water to soak in, then water again until the soil is thoroughly moistened.
- 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.
Years 2 & 3
Water deeply once or twice per week. How often and how long you water depend on your soil texture.
After year 3
Plants should be established, and thrive with less watering. Drought-tolerant plants may need no supplemental water, whereas shallow-rooted plants or plants with greater water needs may need water weekly. Many plants may need watering only once or twice a month in dry weather.
- Use water wisely! Water plants when they need it, and apply water according to your soil type and the weather. Do not apply water faster than the soil can absorb it.
- Water in the morning, so less water is lost to evaporation.
- Choose the right watering method. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation apply water directly to the soil and reduces evaporation. If you are planting a few plants in an existing planting bed, hand watering can get the new plants the water they need while not overwatering the rest of the plants.
- Know your soil because it affects watering frequency and duration.
- Check soil moisture before watering. Probe soil with a spade or trowel. Generally, you want the soil to be dry an inch or two below the surface before you water.
- Recheck soil after watering. At least an hour after you water (or two hours with clay soil), probe soil to see how deeply the water penetrated. If it didn’t reach the root zone, you may need to increase your watering. If the area is soggy, try cutting back on watering.
- Encourage deep roots by allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry before watering again.
- Pick the right plant for the right place. Choose plants that are pest-resistant, require less water, and match the sun, shade, and soil in your yard.
- Avoid planting in hot, dry weather which can easily stress plants. If you must plant in summer, plant in the cool of the morning when less water is lost to evaporation.
- Mulch retains moisture. Mulching the surface of the soil reduces evaporation so you can water less often.
Special considerations
- Drought-tolerant plants need regular water until they are established.
- Planted containers tend to dry out quickly, particularly unglazed clay pots. Check them daily during the summer by sticking your finger into the soil. If it’s dry down to the first knuckle on your index finger, add water. Always apply enough water so that some drips out of the bottom drain hole.
- Shallow-rooted plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, and bedding plants may need more frequent watering than other plants.
- Young trees need deep regular watering. During times of little or no rain, water deeply once a week until trees become established.
More Information
How to Water New Plants(pdf)
Choosing the Right Plants guide(pdf)
Right Plant Right Place(pdf)
The Plant List (pdf)
Questions? Call the Garden Hotline at (206) 633-0224 or email help@gardenhotline.org
FAQs
Overall, the best guidance is to water to the bottom of the roots and to keep the roots of new plants moist, not soggy or dry. Inserting a screwdriver into the soil will help with determining the moisture content by gaining a sense required to push it in and also to feel the soil particles that stick to the blade.
What is the best way to water new plants? ›
Overall, the best guidance is to water to the bottom of the roots and to keep the roots of new plants moist, not soggy or dry. Inserting a screwdriver into the soil will help with determining the moisture content by gaining a sense required to push it in and also to feel the soil particles that stick to the blade.
How often should I water newly transplanted plants? ›
1-2 weeks after planting, water daily. 3-12 weeks after planting, water every 2 to 3 days. After 12 weeks, water weekly until roots are established.
How do you water plants efficiently? ›
Use a watering wand, drip irrigation or soaker hoses to direct water right to the root zone. Watering early or late in the day minimizes moisture loss due to evaporation from the soil surface. Shielding plants from wind will also reduce moisture loss.
How to tell if a newly planted tree is getting enough water? ›
For a new tree, sample dirt at the base of the tree and for an established tree, test the root zone. Get a pinch of dirt (be sure that it is dirt and not mulch) and roll it around between your fingers. If it sticks together, there is enough moisture. If it is dry and crumbly, it is time to water.
How do you get the best water for plants? ›
If using tap water, try to use a filtered version. If you live in an area with hard water, it's even more important to avoid using tap water. Hard water contains extra minerals that are bad for your plants. If you want to use your tap water, run it through a filtration system first.
How do you start a new plant in water? ›
The most common method for the average person is to take a cutting* from the plant, put it into a glass of water, and leave the glass in a bright window. Change the water every few days. In time, roots will come. Some plants take longer than others--as long as your cuttings are still alive, just be patient.
How do you water plants after transplant? ›
Let the water soak in around the plant a bit, pack the soil in, and water again. The exception to this heavy watering regimen is succulents. It is a good idea to water them when transplanting, but too much water can be stressful, so they need to be left to dry after transplanting.
Can new plants get too much water? ›
Plants growing in soil that is too wet suffer from a lack of oxygen which leads to the death of roots and a loss of vigor in the plant. Stunted slow growth with yellowing leaves is a symptom of over-watering. Plants may suffer from leaf scorch or leaf burn.
How long can newly planted plants go without water? ›
“Most plants will typically be fine if you're gone a week, but some may start to suffer if they go without water for two weeks,” says Justin Hanco*ck, Costa Farms horticulturist.
Plants absorb water from the soil by a process called osmosis – the natural movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration, across a semi-permeable, sieve-like membrane, to an area of low concentration.
How can we improve water efficiency in plants? ›
Enhancing WUE at the canopy level can be achieved by adopting practices that reduce the soil water evaporation component and divert more water into transpiration which can be through crop residue management, mulching, row spacing, and irrigation.
How do you give plants the right amount of water? ›
If the soil feels dry three or four inches below the surface, water. A common rule of thumb is that most plants need the equivalent of one inch of rainfall a week, on average—enough to soak into the soil about six inches. However, in hot weather, plants may need more.
How to water new plants? ›
Growing season #1 – new plants need regular deep soaking.
Turn your hose on a slow trickle and place it 4-6” from the base of the plant. Let the hose run between 10-30 minutes, depending on the size of the root ball. Deep soaking is the best way to water your new plants.
How do I know if I have watered my plants enough? ›
You'll be able to tell if your plant needs watering by observing the dryness of the soil surface, as well more accurate techniques like poking your finger in the soil and picking pots up to determine their weight. You can also use a moisture sensor to quickly and accurately check soil moisture levels.
Is it better to overwater or underwater a new tree? ›
Again, immature trees often need more water during their early stages to grow and thrive. Overwatering or underwatering can damage the tree's root ball, causing stunted growth and even death. For the first two weeks, water the tree daily using two to three inches of water to ensure optimal growth and health.
What is the best way to water a newly planted seeding? ›
Before your seedlings germinate, the easiest way to water smaller, shallowly planted seeds is with a mister or very gentle spray bottle. Using a watering can or hose without a mister can displace smaller seeds and can make it easy to over-water.
Should you water a plant when you first get it? ›
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.
Is it better to water new plants in the morning or evening? ›
Morning watering is actually preferable to evening watering as the plant has time to dry before the sun goes down. At night, water tends to rest in the soil, around the roots, and on the foliage, which encourages rot, fungal growth, and insects.
