Suggested Watering Practices

Watering for the First and Second Year

In the first growing season, all new plants (including those that are drought-resistant) need extra water to root into the surrounding soil because they pull water where the hole was. Lawn sprinklers are not enough; make sure to deep soak the plants deep enough with either a sprinkler on a hose, Water Right Bag, or bubbler so that your soil is moist to 12 inches below the surface of the dirt a day after you have watered. You want your moisture to soak in deeply, so that your plant’s roots develop well and can withstand not being watered for a few days. If in doubt, you must dig down with a shovel or trowel to ensure you are soaking in deep enough.

Deep Soaking with a Sprinkler on a Hose

Sand to Sand Loam Soils

-50˚F or less once a month for evergreens; check every two months for deciduous plants during the dormant season and deep soak for 1 to 2 hours.
-50 to 70˚F: Deep soak once a week after leaves emerge for 1 to 2 hours.
-70 to 85˚F deep soak twice a week for 1 hour.
-85 to 95˚F deep soak three times a week for 2 hours.
-Above 95˚F, soak every other day for 2 hours.

Clay to Clay Loam or Hard and Compacted Soils

-50˚F or less once a month for evergreens; check every two months for deciduous plants. Soak for 30 minutes.
-50 to 70˚F deep soak once every two weeks when foliage is on the trees. Soak for 30 minutes.
-70 to 85˚F deep soak twice a week for 30 minutes.
-85 to 95˚F deep soak three times a week for 30 minutes.
-Above 95˚F, soak four times a week for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on runoff.

If your soil is prone to runoff within 30 minutes, break the 30 minutes into 2 or 3 sets of running and soaking with an hour between soakings. Water Bags may be easier to work with, or a smart hose timer may be a better option.



The DeWitt Dew Right Watering Bags 

The DeWitt Dew Right Watering Bags are great for watering trees! They hold 15 gallons of water and apply it over 5 to 8 hours, giving a slow and steady application. You zip up the bag around the tree and fill it. For a 1 to 3-inch caliper tree, you need only a bag. For trees with a caliper of 3 to 5 inches, zip together two bags for 30 gallons of water per interval.

-50˚F or less fill bag once a month for evergreens; check every 2 months for deciduous plants.
-50 to 70˚F fill bag once a week after leaves emerge.
-70 to 85˚F fill bag twice a week.
-85 to 95˚F fill bag three times a week.
-Above 95˚F, fill the bag every other day.

For any soil type, add one extra water interval per windy day over 85 degrees F with winds over 20 mph.


Remember to check your sprinklers, filters, and drip emitters regularly. A plugged sprinkler or drip emitter will not water a plant adequately, if at all. To prevent fungal disease, try to avoid watering late in the evening or at night on a daily basis; fungi thrive in warm nights and moist conditions.