It can get HOT in August, here in the Ohio River Valley. When you are parched and you feel like you need a cold glass of water ... so do your plants. Now that you have done such a great job of getting your trees, shrubs and perennials planted, growing and blooming through the green seasons of Spring and early Summer, let's be sure they stay healthy through the Winter by watering through Late Summer and into the Fall.
It certainly seems like there could be nothing simpler than "watering", but it could be too much or too little depending on the needs of the plant. Here are some tips from your friends at Walnut Ridge to help ensure that your lawn and plants get the hydration they need for staying healthy through next Spring.
The key to effective and healthy watering, particularly for newly planted trees, shrubs and plants, is a slow deep soaking, so it gets all the way down to the roots. Lay the end of a garden hose near the base of the root ball and let the water trickle out. The water coming out should be about the size of your pinkie finger. Follow the chart below to see how much and how often you should water your new tree / shrub.
Plant Type and Size | Watering Times | How Often |
Container Shrubs & Small | 3-4 minutes | Every 3-4 days |
Large Shrubs, trees with | 20-30 minutes | Every 4-5 days |
Trees, 1.5” - 2.5” Caliper, | 40-60 minutes | Every 4-7 days |
Trees 3” Caliper, | 60-90 minutes | Every 4-7 days |
Questions? We are happy to help! Call your horticultural experts at Walnut Ridge Nursery -- 812-288-6691 -- and let us know what you're experiencing. We'll do all we can do diagnose and help you treat any plants in distress.
Next ... we'll talk about Fall Planting! But first, let's enjoy and finish Summer by going 'back to school' on the basics of healthy watering basics for your lawns and plants.
