As the summer heat increases, so does the need for plants and landscaping to be watered in order to remain healthy. But instead of grabbing the hose and spraying everything down every now and then, your best bet is to make a watering plan and stick to it. Establishing a consistent watering schedule will not only help maintain plant growth, but will also strengthen the overall life of your landscape.
Our experts recommend watering any new plants every day or every other day, depending on the weather, for the first two weeks after planting. Beyond that time period, three times a week is typically best.
Below are a few more suggestions for a summer watering schedule that will ensure all of your plants grow lush and verdant despite the heat.
Rain or shine
Keep an eye on the weather before you water. Allowing Mother Nature to water the ground not only saves you money, but can also help create consistency. Allow common sense to help dictate your watering schedule. If we get a few days of rain, you’ll obviously have to water less, or not at all. The hotter the weather is, the more often you’ll have to water. And as the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter, the less you’ll have to water.
Timing is everything
Watering in the morning or early evening is best, as watering at these times allows the plant’s roots to draw in the maximum amount of water. In the hot Maryland climate, any water on top of the leaf can actually cause “sun scorch” that can cause the leaf to burn in the mid-day heat. Be sure to aim the water at the base of the plant where it will soak into the roots.
Sprinkler vs Hose
We recommend using a hose or nozzle versus a sprinkler system. Although it is much easier to “set it and forget it” with a sprinkler, they don’t penetrate the mulch as well.
Test the results
After watering, make sure the moisture has penetrated fully to the root system with an easy test: push your fingers two inches into the ground – if it’s dry, it’s time for more water. If you see visible water, it’s too much. The ground should be moist to the touch. This is a good test for timing as well to see when you need to re-water.
A watering schedule is very important for the health of your plants. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have with creating a watering schedule. Click here and our experts will get back to you quickly.