Many consider landscaping as part of the investment in their home. Time and money go into finding the right plants for the right places, then caring for them to keep them healthy and strong. Only heavy, sustained rains count for watering plants naturally. The U.S. Drought Monitor currently lists DuPage, Will, & Kane counties as having abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. Here are tips on watering properly in different conditions to reduce plant stress for long-term landscaping success.
Watering in Drought Conditions
Drought conditions bring slower growth and increased susceptibility to diseases. Symptoms of drought include wilting, leaf color change, leaf drop, and even death. Interestingly, too much water can cause similar symptoms. Tree & Shrub Manager Eric Gundersen says “The more established trees have more reserves, drawing from a larger area with their bigger root system. Be cautious with the 1, 2, & 3 year old trees that are younger and actively growing. You may think they are established if planted in the last year or two, but their root systems are young yet and have not spread out as much. They need supplemental watering.”
It’s a good idea to put a rain gauge under your sprinklers because you don’t really know how much water they are putting out. Generally, you want 1” of water a week for trees. It is better to water deeper infrequently than watering lightly more often. Light watering promotes shallow roots, which are more prone to stress during drought and high temperatures. Watering deeply encourages roots to grow deeper. Water the tree drip line and beyond, encouraging the roots to grow out.
Watering New Plantings
Plants installed this year have higher water needs because their root systems have not grown much further than the original pot area. It’s best to water your new plantings by hand.
First Day — Water the roots, not leaves, slowly and deeply after planting.
Week 1 — Check daily. Only water when soil is dry about 1”-2” under the surface, watering slow and deeply. (Test with your finger or a moisture meter.)
Week 2 — Check every 2 days. Only water when soil is dry about 1”-2” under the surface, watering slow and deeply.
Week 3 — Check every 3 days. Only water when soil is dry about 1”-2” under the surface, watering slow and deeply.
Ongoing — During the rest of the season, check at least once a week.
Watering Existing Plantings
Water plants if we have not had significant rain in 2 weeks. Plants installed the previous year, or ones that require more frequent watering will need a little extra attention. If no rain continues, water again when the soil is dry 1”-2” below the soil surface. Make sure water gets through the mulch into the soil.
A portable 10-foot section soaker hose is efficient and can easily be moved to water all sides of the plants. If using a sprinkler, use a rain gauge and water long enough to equal an inch of rain, preferably in the morning. If you have an automatic sprinkler, set it for 40 minutes twice a week instead of everyday. Plants do better with deeper, less frequent watering.
