In the Dirt

The Ultimate Plant Watering Guide: Help Your Garden Thrive

Plants can be tricky. Any gardener (novice or expert) will admit that. They have very specific conditions that need to be met to ensure their health and survival. There are certain soil types and levels of light that need to be considered for each different plant we decide to add to our own specific gardens. One of the trickiest parts of plant care is properly watering our little leafy friends. It isn’t as cut and dry as one might think. This watering guide I’m presenting to you now will help you make the right choices when it comes to keeping your plants happy and healthy…

Always check for moisture to accurately determine how dry or wet the soil is before watering. If the soil is too moist, do not water. Check back the following day. If the soil is dry, water thoroughly until the root ball and surrounding soil are saturated. This ensures the water gets down to the root zone of the plant. Light, frequent watering gets the topsoil wet, but does not get water down to the root zone. It is best to water less often and deeply.

Shrubs that are planted in the shade under larger trees can dry out faster because of the competition for moisture by the root systems of the larger trees. So, be sure to check the moisture regularly in these areas.

Summer thunderstorms can provide some helpful moisture but should not be considered a substitute for deep watering.

It is very important to water trees and shrubs during the late spring through summer months (May to September). In the fall and winter months, check the soil for moisture to determine if the trees and shrubs need to be watered.

Before freezing temperatures arrive, the night before, water plants thoroughly. Moist ground stays warmer than dry ground, insulating the root structure of plants and decreasing the potential for cold injury. Water at the base of plants, don’t wet the leaves which can cause frost damage.

Wilted leaves can result from the soil being either too dry or too wet. Be sure to test (does it feel dry or moist to the touch?) the soil to determine which scenario may be happening before watering.

It is very difficult to determine why a plant has died. Please, contact us immediately if you see your plant is in decline.

Pruning, weeding, fertilizing and mulching plants, shrubs and trees are all parts of protecting your investment. If you need help with these tasks, we offer a maintenance program through Greenstreet Landscape. Please ask your salesperson for details.

Planters/containers should be watered daily, even twice a day when temperatures reach over 85 degrees. By feel, if approximately the first inch of soil is dry, it is an indication that watering is needed. In shady areas, less water may be needed. Always check the soil first to determine if your planter/container is dry or moist.

Gardening costs both a fair amount of time and money. It is an investment to have something both beautiful and rewarding in our houses, apartments, and yards. Anyone who has any experience with plant care probably also has experience with plants dying. It is a pain and sometimes unavoidable. With that being said, proper plant care can do a lot to prevent these tragedies from occurring and proper plant care starts with proper watering. If you have questions about plant watering, or for more information, stop into one of our stores or give us a call! Happy gardening!

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