Garden Tip 114:

Gardeners create, cultivate and care for gardens. Planting of trees, shrubs and plants is a big part of gardening and the follow up care of planted material is one of the most important duties a gardener can perform.

Watering newly planted material twice a week by hand is important for a plant’s success. A deep, soaking watering is required.  Watering twice a week not only guarantees that the plant receives the water that it needs but it also means that we are actually looking at the plant and can closely monitor it for signs of stress or problems and catch anything that may occur at an early stage.

Drip irrigation is a great way to maintain established plantings, but I believe hand watering and an observant gardener’s eye are the best practice for new plantings.