WATERING AND CARE GUIDELINES

For specific watering and care instruction, click any of the options below.

GENERAL WATERING INSTRUCTIONS

Guidelines are based on average temperatures of 70 to 85 degrees.

Most watering is typically needed from May through September, but there are always exceptions.

We follow 3 simple guidelines when watering newly installed plants and trees…

  1. Evergreens require less water than deciduous (leafy) shrubs. We suggest watering the evergreens every other time that you water. Evergreens generally will die more often from over watering.
  2. The size of the plant determines the amount and frequency of water needed. Larger plants/trees should receive slow, deep watering while smaller plants/trees should receive more frequent, light watering. Larger plants/trees can retain water longer if watered thoroughly, while smaller plants/trees dry out quicker due to having a smaller root base, which does not allow them to retain nutrients as long.
  3. NEVER WATER DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY AND ALWAYS WATER THE BASE OF THE PLANT, NOT THE FOLIAGE. Watering during the heat of the day can cause scorching on the leaves. Always water in the morning hours or in the early evening and use a water wand attached to your hose.

NOTES: Please remember the care of your new plantings does require some common sense. The weather will dictate how much water your new planting will require, as will the amount of sun the plants receive. Also, plants near concrete or asphalt, or in front of a wall of windows typically require more water. It will be up to you to use your best judgement on watering and maintenance. It can be very difficult to tell by appearance if a plant is receiving too much water or not enough. If you notice the leaves curling, or an evergreens color fading, you should investigate the plant and the soil around the base. Often with deciduous shrubs if the leaves start to turn yellow from the outside in, this means leaves are not getting enough water. If the leaves start to yellow from the middle of leaf out, that means too much water. If you are unable to determine the reason for the plants decline, please contact your salesperson. Texting a photo is a good form of communication too. Remember that watering is an important part of the health of your plants and trees. Spend the appropriate amount of time needed on this important activity.

Watering of Shrubs & Broadleaf Evergreens

Week 1
Water the root zone every 1-2 days after installation.  Apply water to root zone for about 10 – 15 seconds at a slow stream.

Weeks 2-3
Water the root zone every 1-3 days for approximately 15-20 seconds at a slow stream.

Week 4
Water the root zone 2-3 times per week for approximately 20-25 seconds at a slow stream. Do this for the rest of the growing season.

CARE TIPS/NOTES:

  • Some species of Hydrangea may need watered in the morning and the evening after installation.  You will be able to tell, as the leaves will typically begin to wilt if they are thirsty.
  • We recommend an application of soluble fertilizer and general insecticide on a monthly basis from April through August.  This will increase plant growth and help keep the plants healthy and insect free.
  • Rhododendrons, Azalea, Holly, Boxwood, etc. are tough, dependable plants if given the proper environment, with a loose and open acidic soil mixture.
  • Broadleaf evergreens should always be protected from cold winter winds and must go into winter with plenty of moisture at the roots.  We suggest an anti-transpirant spray and deep watering before temperatures drop below 40.  Broadleaf evergreens are particularly susceptible when the ground is frozen and moisture is being lost through the leaves.
  • The wind accelerates water loss from the leaves, and no replenishment is possible from the frozen soil.  A loose mulch such as pine needle mulch is preferred.  Do not allow mulch to compact around base.
  • If you feel that you must fertilize, use a fertilizer made specifically for broadleaf evergreen plants.  Apply fertilizer at the rate stated on the product label.

Perennials

Week 1
Water the root zone every day after installation. Apply water to root zone for about 5-10 seconds at a slow stream.

Week 2
Water the root zone every 1-2 days for approximately 10 seconds at a slow stream.

Weeks 3-4
Water the root zone every 1-3 days for approximately 15 seconds at a slow stream.

Season
Water as described above 2-3 times per week, depending on the weather and rainfall, throughout the remainder of the season.

CARE TIPS/NOTES:

  • Weeds will thrive during the summer months and the perennials will suffer if not cared for properly.
  • You should start to see the perennials “waking up” in the beginning of April. We suggest weeding and re-mulching around the perennials in the spring. This will help keep the soil temperature cooler and the soil moisture more consistent.
  • The following are some signs you need to water: leaves and flower heads wilt, lower leaves shrivel, leaves lose their gloss, new flowers seem small, growth slows almost to a stop.
  • The deadheading of spent blooms can increase blooming on certain species.
  • Some perennials will require staking (depending on variety). Stakes should be installed in spring to allow the perennial to grow through properly.
  • Monthly fertilization from April through August will benefit most perennials.

Groundcover

Week 1
Water the root zone every day after installation. Thoroughly soak groundcover area.

Week 2
Water the root zone every 1-2 days, thoroughly soak groundcover area.

Weeks 3-4
Water the root zone every 1-3 days, thoroughly soak groundcover area. Do this through the end of season

CARE TIPS/NOTES:

  • Groundcover will tend to require more water during the heat of the summer due to their shallow root system.
  • Fertilize groundcover by spraying or soil drench applications. This will increase plant growth and help keep the plants healthy. Spray the groundcover with a general insecticide on a monthly basis to keep the plants insect free.
  • Hand weeding of groundcover areas will be required as spraying herbicide is not an option due to the close proximity of groundcover plants to each other.

Roses

Week 1
Water the root zone every 1-2 days after installation. Apply water to root zone for about 10 – 15 seconds at a slow stream.

Week 2
Water the root zone every 1-3 days for approximately 15-20 seconds at a slow stream.

Week 3
Water the root zone every 1-3 days for approximately 15-20 seconds at a slow stream.

Week 4
Water the root zone 2-3 times per week for approximately 20-25 seconds at a slow stream. Do this for rest of season

CARE TIPS/NOTES:

April
Clean out rose bed, cut canes back to green or 8-12”. Spray each plant with Dormant Oil or Lime Sulfur if not leafed out yet.

May
Fertilize roses by drenching the root zone. If the roses have leafed out, begin spraying every 10-14 days, or as the label directs, with an appropriate fungicide.

June-Aug.
Fertilize roses again as directed above. Keep spraying fungicide.

Sept.
Stop fertilizing roses. Keep spraying fungicide until leaves drop.

Nov.
Prepare roses for winter by cutting back to 24-30” in height. Mound mulch around roses to insulate them from winter freeze.

Trees

Week 1
Water the root zone every 2-3 days after installation. Apply water to root zone for about 10 minutes at a slow trickle.

Week 2
Water the root zone every 3 days for approximately 15 minutes at a slow trickle.

Week 3
Water the root zone every 3-4 days for approximately 20 minutes at a slow trickle.

Week 4
Water the root zone 1-2 times per week for approximately 20 minutes at a slow trickle. Do this for the rest of the growing season.

CARE TIPS/NOTES:

  • Most trees that we plant have a drain-tube installed along the side of the root ball. The purpose of this is to help monitor the tree and the hole. The tube can be used to water the tree along with checking to see if the hole is retaining water. If you see standing water in this tube, you will need to empty the water. If you use a tree bag at the base of your tree to water, be sure and keep it filled, as this provides a continuous, slow trickle of water to the tree. This is an excellent way to water trees and larger shrubs.
  • Tree wrap, wires, and stakes should be removed one year after date of installation, unless tree is unstable. If tree is unstable, the wires should be tightened or re-staked.
  • Fertilize tree by drenching the soil underneath tree canopy with soluble fertilizer on a monthly basis from April through August.
  • Once the trees have been in the ground for a year, we suggest having a professional arborist start the trees on a root-feeding program.

Annual Flowers

Week 1
Water the root zone every 1-2 days after installation. Apply water to root zone for about 5-7 seconds at a slow stream.

Week 2-3
Water the root zone every 1-2 days for approximately 5-10 seconds at a slow stream.

Week 4
Water the root zone 3-5 times per week for approximately 10 seconds at a slow stream. Do this for the rest of the growing season.

PLANTERS/CONTAINERS
Check for watering daily. Most will require watering once or twice daily depending on weather, sun or shade, and size of container. Larger containers, and containers in shade, usually require less frequent watering. Small containers, or containers in full sun, require watering daily. Keeping the water off the blooms and foliage promotes longer lasting flowers and helps prevent disease.

IN GROUND
Check for watering daily. Most areas will require water once a day depending on weather, sun or shade, and type of soil. Shaded areas usually require less water than sunny areas. Keeping the water off of the blooms and foliage promotes longer lasting flowers and helps prevent disease.

CARE TIPS/NOTES:

  • Wilting can be caused by over or under-watering. Check the soil a half inch down and water if soil is dry.
  • On a weekly basis, remove spent blooms from plants. Also, pinch back any long branches for a fuller plant, as well as to encourage more blooms to form.
  • Fertilize annuals every 10-14 days with a soluble fertilizer following recommended rate on products label.

Seeded Lawns

GENERAL WATERING INSTRUCTIONS
Guidelines are based on average temperature of 70 to 85 degrees.

We follow 3 simple guidelines (outlined below) when watering newly installed seeded lawns…

  1. Seeded lawns require special attention immediately after the seed and straw are installed. The first watering is to moisten the straw down enough so that it does not blow away. Even coverage of straw is very important to achieving consistent seedling growth.
  2. Initial watering of the lawn is what we call teasing. Light, frequent waterings offer the best result in getting the seed started. As the lawn starts poking through the straw you will need to water longer, and as the lawn starts to establish itself you will need to water longer yet.
  3. NEVER WATER DURING THE EVENING OR NIGHT HOURS. Watering during the evening and night does not allow a chance for the water to dry properly, sometimes creating a fungus in the lawn. Always try and water in the morning hours if at all possible. Morning waterings are preferred.

CARE OF NEWLY SEEDED LAWN

Week 1
Water each section for approximately 15-25 minutes, or just long enough so you do not sink when walking on surface. Complete watering every day (sometimes twice a day).

Week 2
Water each section for approximately 20-30 minutes, or just long enough so you do not sink when walking on surface. Complete watering every day (sometimes twice a day).

Week 3
Water each section for approximately 25-35 minutes. As the lawn grows thicker you will need to water longer, and deeper, but less frequent. Complete watering every other day. By the end of the third week the lawn should start looking like it needs to be mowed.

AT THIS POINT YOU SHOULD START TO SEE GRASS POKING THROUGH THE STRAW. IF YOU DO NOT SEE GRASS IN 21 DAYS, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE.

Week 4
Water each section for approximately 30-45 minutes. Complete watering every other day or every third day. You should mow the lawn on your mowers highest setting by the end of the week. Do not rake off straw prior to mowing. After mowing, lawn should be fertilized. Continue throughout the rest of the season.

NOTES:

  • Water schedule is dependent on the weather and rainfall. Use your best judgment for watering and care, according to weather.
  • Watering each section for 1 hour will be required after you have mowed the lawn 3-4 times. Mowing on a consistent schedule will help thicken the lawn and fill in the bare areas.
  • Straw is very important in the initial germination and protection of the new seedlings. If straw blows off an area, please re-cover it as soon as possible. Consistent watering and mowing will provide the best results.

Sodded Lawns

GENERAL WATERING INSTRUCTIONS
Guidelines are based on average temperature of 70 to 85 degrees.

We follow 3 simple guidelines (outlined below) when watering newly installed sodded lawns…

  1. Sodded lawns require special attention immediately after the sod is installed. Sod will need watered immediately after installation. Bruce Ewing Landscaping does not guarantee sodded lawns that do not have underground sprinkling.
  2. Initial watering of the lawn is very important in keeping the new sod fresh from cutting, delivery and installation. The length of watering will depend on the type of irrigation heads in each zone (see weekly care instructions below). As the lawn starts to establish itself you will need to water each zone longer.
  3. NEVER WATER DURING THE EVENING OR NIGHT HOURS. Watering during the evening and night do not allow a chance for the water to dry properly, sometimes creating a fungus in the lawn. Sodded lawns tend to have more problems with disease than a seeded lawn. Therefore, it is very important to complete watering of sod during the morning hours and not the evening.

CARE OF NEWLY SODDED LAWN

Week 1
Complete watering every day. Water each spray head zone for 15 minutes, or just long enough so you do not sink when walking on surface. Water each rotary head zone for 30 minutes, or just long enough so you do not sink when walking on surface. Depending on temperatures, some days during the first week may require watering two times.

Week 2
Complete watering every day. Water each spray head zone for 20 minutes. Water each rotary head zone for 40 minutes. Depending on temperatures and weather some days may need skipped or watered 2 times.

AT THIS POINT YOU SHOULD HAVE MOWED THE GRASS 1 OR 2 TIMES.

Week 3
Complete watering every other day. Water each spray head zone for 25 minutes. Water each rotary head zone for 50 minutes. As the lawn grows thicker you will need to water longer, and deeper, but less frequent.

Week 4
Complete watering every other day. Water each spray head zone for 30 minutes. Water each rotary head zone for 1 hr. You should be able to use these settings for the remainder of the summer until around September when we will need to cut back to two days a week. After mowing the 4th week, the lawn should be fertilized. Continue throughout the rest of the season.

NOTES:

  • Water schedule is dependent on the weather and rainfall. Watering, fertilization and mowing on a consistent schedule will help thicken the lawn and fill in the bare areas.
  • Sod can die in the matter of 4 hours if not given the proper care or attention. If your sod appears dry or is starting to fade to gray, you need to water the sod immediately.