How to Water
Conserve our precious resource!
How often do I water?
Get to know your soils and your microclimates. Test the soil moisture level before watering. Your finger is the best moisture meter. Using a trowel, if necessary, feel the soil to a depth of 5” – 10” to determine water needs. Deep watering should result in a soil that is moist (like a wrung-out sponge) 5” to 10” deep. Adjust the watering time and amount to achieve this result.
All of these recommendations assume that:
- the soil has been prepared properly for the type of plant;
- that there is proper mulch around non-xeric plants;
- and there is no rain.
Whenever we get at least 1” of rain, start the watering schedule over again.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
- What kind of plant is it?
- Is it in a pot or the ground?
- If in the ground, how long has the plant been in the ground?
- Newly planted = First two years (Trees first 3-4 years)
- Established = After two years (Trees after 4 years)
- What season is it? Plants will need more water during the active growing season.
- What kind of soil is it?
- Clay = Difficult to get the clay to absorb water but holds water longer
- Sand or Well-draining soil = Easily absorbs water, but doesn’t hold it long
- Shallow = will dry out faster than deep
- What is the microclimate?
- Is it in the sun or shade?
- Windy or still?
- Low place or top of a hill?
- Shady, low areas retain water longer; sunny, windy, hilly areas dry out faster
Watering Containers
Water thoroughly making sure all soil is wet. Do not allow the pot to sit in a saucer of water for more than half an hour. Consider the size and material of the pot, the type of plant, and the type of soil.
- Smaller pots need water more often.
- Outdoor pots need more water than indoor.
- Pots in full sun need water more often than shade.
- Terracotta pots need more water than plastic or glazed pottery.
Outdoor Plants in Containers
Xeric
- March: Every 2 weeks
- April – September: Once a week (some xeric plants prefer every 2 weeks)
- October – early December: Every 2 weeks
- mid December – February: Once a month or not at all
Never water xeric plants before a freeze.
Other
- When temperatures are 95º or higher: Daily or more often to prevent wilting
- May – September: Every 2nd or 3rd day
- October – April: Once every week or two
Watering Plants in Ground
Drought-Tolerant Native Perennials
New plantings (For plants in the ground less than two years.)
- When temperatures are 95º or higher: Light daily watering, plus deep watering once a week
- May – September: Deep watering once every week or two
- October – April: Deep watering once every 2-3 weeks, except during winter dormancy
Established
- When temperatures are 95º or higher: Once per week
- May – September: Deep watering once every week or two
- October – April: Deep watering once every 2-3 weeks, except during winter dormancy
Annuals & Other Perennials
New plantings (For plants in the ground less than two years.)
- When temperatures are 95º or higher: Light to medium daily watering, plus deep watering once a week
- May – September: Deep watering once or twice per week
- October – April: Deep watering once every week or two, except during winter dormancy
Established
- When temperatures are 95º or higher: Light daily watering or every other day, plus deep watering once a week
- May – September: Deep watering once or twice per week
- October – April: Deep watering once every week or two, except during winter dormancy
Xeric Plants
Never water xeric plants before a freeze.
New plantings – Start with slightly damp soil and don’t water right away. After one week, water once a week for the next 2 weeks. For the next two years:
- March: Once a month
- April – September: Every two weeks
- October – early December: Once a month
- mid December – February: No watering
Established
- March – September: Once a month
- October through February: No watering
Lawns
New plantings (For turf less than two years old of all varieties.)
- Newly planted sod:
- Water daily for the first 2 weeks.
- Every other day for the next 2 weeks.
- Then follow regular schedule.
- Newly planted seed:
- Water lightly daily or more often until grass emerges; do not let seedbed surface dry out.
- Water every second or third day until the first mowing.
- Then follow regular schedule.
- October – early December: Once a month
- mid December – February: No watering
Established
- All established lawns (except buffalo and native grass seed lawns) needs 1″ – 1.5″ of water every 5 days during the growing season, and only once every 3-4 weeks during the winter.
- Buffalo and native grass, when established, are low maintenance and can forego both water and mowing. Lawns will turn brown and go dormant in a drought, but the grass can be kept green, by watering when the grass begins to look stressed (dull, gray-blue color). This is every week or two in the summer, and once a month in the winter.