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WATERING NEW PLANTS

WATERING NEW PLANTS

WATERING NEW PLANTS

Watering new plants is very important! Doing it correctly can eliminate disease and death.

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WATERING NEW SOD

WATERING NEW PLANTS

WATERING NEW PLANTS

Watering new sod helps it attach properly to your lawn. Learn how to do it correctly.

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DID YOU KNOW?

  • Newly planted trees and shrubs need regular and consistent watering until root systems established.
  • Root systems of trees and shrubs, whether bare root, balled and burlapped, or in a container, are severely reduced or restricted.
  • After planting, root systems will grow and establish until they are much wider than the above ground portion of the plant.

WHEN TO WATER

Newly planted trees or shrubs require more frequent watering than established trees and shrubs. They should be watered at planting time and at these intervals:

  • 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.

Checking the soil surrounding plants before watering is very important so you don’t over-water. Simply place your finger in the soil to check the dampness. If you’re still unsure, you can pick up a small amount of soil. If it clumps together, it is wet. If it crumbles apart, it is too dry and needs to be watered.

HOW MUCH TO WATER

  • When watering newly planted trees, apply 1-1.5 gallons per inch of stem caliper at each watering.
  • When watering newly planted shrubs, apply a volume of water that is 1/4 - 1/3 of the volume of the container that the shrub was purchased in.
  • Water to maintain even soil moisture – keep it consistent – do not get a soaked, dry, soaked dry schedule – be consistent.
  • Use your finger to check soil moisture at the root ball – if dry, water!

WATERING TIPS AFTER INSTALLATION

Keep the lawn moist at all times with frequent light sprinklings. The watering process should be repeated three times a day during the hottest months of the year, 80°plus, at approximately 8 AM, 11 AM and 2 PM (early, mid-morning and early afternoon), every day. A fourth watering may be added if necessary. DON’T LET THE LAWN DRY OUT! The key is to KEEP IT MOIST, NOT SOAKED. Too much water causes algae and fungus.

  • DAY 1: Keep new sod "wet like a sponge until roots form and you can hardly pull it up.Water your lawn immediately after installion for about 45- 60 minutes depending on how hot it is outside.You will water your lawn two more times that same day. These times for only 15-20 minutes each approximately. Please be sure that your water is being fully absorbed by the lawn and is not soggy wet. 
  • DAY 2 and the Following Two Weeks: You will be watering your Sod Lawn two times per day for 15-20 minutes. Our recommended times are 8:00am and 1pm.
  • AFTER 2 WEEKS: shut off your water for 1-2 days and let your SOIL dry out so that you can walk on it. You do not want to sink into the ground. Peel back a corner of your new sod and touch the ground underneath. If the ground is moist/wet, then no need to water. If the ground is dry, then start watering again twice per day. As you keep peeling up a corner (check different corners each time), you'll start to see white roots and it will get harder and harder to pull up a corner. When you can no longer pull up a corner, it's time to ease up on watering. Over the next several weeks gradually wean off the intense watering. 

WATERING TIPS AFTER THE FIRST 2 WEEKS

Watering is most effective if done during early morning hours when sunlight and heat cannot cause excessive evaporation. After your lawn becomes established it requires approximately 

½ inch every other day, during the heat of the summer. Spring and fall may only require once or twice a week depending on weather conditions. 

Cut water back during the winter. Sometimes your lawn will only require watering once or twice a month, depending on weather conditions. If your lawn needs water it will turn from bright green to blue or gray-green.

  • Week 3: You may now start watering your lawn once a day for 15-20 minutes approximately.
  • Week 4: You may now start watering your lawn every other day or less depending on weather.

MOWING YOUR LAWN

After you have let your soil absorb all the water for 1-2 days you may now mow your new sod lawn at the highest setting. Do not mow too often or short as heat can scorch the roots.