Watering & Care Instructions
Congratulations on your new landscaping! Now that the installation is completed, the next important phase of creating a great landscape begins…growing and maintaining. The messages below will help you to get your new plantings established. Should you have any questions about your new landscape, or if you would like a TM Landscaping professional to help you with gardening or lawn work, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
TREE, SHRUB, AND PERENNIAL PLANTINGS
To ensure the health of your new flora as they adjust to their new environment and develop vital new roots, appropriate watering is critical. You may be surprised to learn that it takes several growing seasons to establish enough of a root structure for plants to survive on rainfall alone. Please make sure that you have enough hoses to reach all of your newly planted areas, or that you have an alternate system in place to deliver water to that area on a daily basis.
Ideally, plants should be watered slowly and deeply around the base of the plant, rather than overhead, and we recommend adding a watering wand attachment for easier access and to reduce runoff and erosion.
Aim to water your new plantings every day for the first 14 days (twice a day may be needed in hot weather). Early morning is the best time to water when relatively cooler temperatures are less likely to evaporate water before it reaches the roots. After the first two weeks, watering may gradually be reduced to 2 to 3 times per week, and should continue up until the first hard freeze in fall. If we receive sufficient rainfall, watering can be skipped for that day. **During periods of extreme heat and drought, watering may need to be increased back up to every day**
After the first frost of fall, there are additional times that your plants may need supplemental water:
- Evergreen trees, shrubs, plantings, including those in containers may need watering during extended, unusually warm periods during fall and winter if there is no rain and/or snow cover
- All trees, shrubs, and plantings need additional water the following growing season after planting
- All trees, shrubs, and plantings within their first few growing seasons should be monitored closely during periods of drought. Check soil moisture by looking at and touching the soil remembering to avoid frequent, light sprinkling of water.
If you are unable to regularly hand water your plants, you may want to consider investing in either an in-ground irrigation system or a temporary surface system consisting of hoses, soaker lines, and timers.
The team at TM Landscaping can discuss these options with you in more detail.
LAWN GRASS
Healthy lawns are highly dependent on a regular watering schedule, and this is especially true for establishing new grass. For new lawns, you will need to water three times a day for 10-15 minute intervals for the first 3 to 3-1/2 weeks. In drought conditions, we recommend drenching the soil weekly.
Take care not to over-water, as this can cause pooling on the surface and seeds trying to root into the ground can become dislodged. The goal is to keep the soil moist all day long for optimal germination.
After this period, and for established lawns, you will move to heavier, less frequent waterings of 1 to 2 times a week for 25-45 minutes, depending on soil type and weather.
You should have a plan in place before your seeding is done to ensure that you can reach all areas and can water multiple times a day.
In-ground irrigation systems – if your irrigation system is not managed by TM Landscaping, please reach out to your irrigation technician to ensure that the heads are working properly in the seeded area, or to install new heads if needed, and have them adjust the watering schedule for new seed.
Temporary irrigation systems – you will need to set up a temporary irrigation system with a series of hoses, sprinklers, and timers. If you have a large area, you will need to assess the number of spigots available, what length of hose you will need, and the number of sprinklers and timers you will need. If you are able to move sprinklers around during the day, you can reduce the number of sprinklers and timers, but keep in mind that this must be done multiple times a day, every day – missing watering on even one hot, dry day can burn out new grass. If you need assistance setting up your temporary irrigation system, please let us know. We are happy to help.
MAINTAINING YOUR GREAT LANDSCAPE
Feeding and properly pruning your plants are important parts of creating a beautiful landscape.
Plants have different needs for fertilizing and pruning depending on the type of plant, conditions, and time of year.
Lawn care is ongoing and never-ending between Fertilizing, Mowing, Aerating, Overseeding, and Clean Ups.
NEED HELP WITH YOUR GROWING AND MAINTAINING?
TM Landscaping is available if you need watering done while you are away or to free up your busy schedule so you have more time for doing what you love. Our Fine Gardening team can provide expert care of fertilizing and pruning for your outdoor plantings.
