Frequent shallow watering keeps roots near the surface, where they dry out fastest. Deep, occasional watering trains roots to grow down, which makes plants far tougher in drought.
The three rules
- Water deeply. Soak the root zone. For lawns, about an inch per week, including rain, is a common target; apply it in one or two sessions rather than a little each day.
- Water infrequently. Let the top inch or two of soil dry between waterings. Push a screwdriver or finger into the soil to check.
- Water early. Morning watering loses less to evaporation and lets leaves dry before night, which reduces disease.
Use the right tool
- Drip irrigation and soaker hoses put water at the roots with little waste. They're ideal for beds, vegetables and new shrubs.
- Sprinklers suit lawns. If water runs off before soaking in, run the cycle in shorter bursts with a break between.
- Hand watering works for pots and new plantings. Water slowly at the base.
New plants need more
New trees and shrubs depend on their original root ball until roots spread into surrounding soil. Water them more often for the first few months, then taper off over one to two years.
Signs of trouble
Wilting in the afternoon heat that recovers by evening is normal. Wilting in the morning means the plant is thirsty. Yellowing leaves and soggy soil usually mean too much water, not too little.
Every plant in the explorer has a water rating from very low to high. Group plants with similar needs in the same bed so one watering schedule works for all of them.