Perennial Establishment Watering Guide
Perennials have smaller root systems and may require more frequent monitoring.
Initial Watering
Water immediately after planting.
Moisten the top 6 inches of soil.
Use a gentle watering method to avoid soil displacement.
Frequency
Week 1: Water daily.
Weeks 2–4: Water every 2–3 days.
After establishment: Water once or twice per week.
Water Volume
Provide at least 1 gallon per plant per week.
Increase frequency during extreme heat or if wilting or leaf crisping occurs.
In hot conditions, daily watering may be required temporarily.
Best Practices
Check soil moisture regularly.
Water early in the day to reduce stress.
Avoid letting the root zone dry out completely during establishment.
Shrub Establishment Watering Guide
Shrubs establish faster than trees but still require consistent moisture during the first season.
Initial Watering
Water thoroughly at planting.
Moisten the top 12 inches of soil.
Use drip irrigation, soaker hoses, or slow hand watering.
Frequency
Week 1: Water daily.
Weeks 2–4: Water every 2–3 days.
After establishment: Water once per week or as needed.
Water Volume
Provide 5 gallons or more per shrub, depending on size and weather.
Best Practices
Water at the base of the plant, not on foliage.
Maintain mulch to help retain moisture.
Reduce frequency in clay soils, but water deeply.
Evergreen Establishment Watering Guide
Evergreens require consistent but moderate watering during establishment. Unlike deciduous plants, evergreens retain foliage year-round and can be negatively impacted by excess moisture. Proper balance is critical for healthy root development.
Initial Watering
Water immediately after planting to settle soil and remove air pockets.
Moisten the top 12 inches of soil throughout the root zone.
Use a slow, deep watering method such as drip irrigation, soaker hose, tree watering bag (for upright evergreens), or a slow hose trickle.
Watering Frequency
Week 1: Water daily, monitoring soil moisture carefully.
Weeks 2–4: Water every 2–3 days as needed.
After establishment: Water once per week, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Increase frequency only during extended heat, drought, or high winds.
Water Volume
Provide approximately 10 gallons per evergreen tree per week during establishment.
Evergreen shrubs typically require 5 gallons or more per plant per week, depending on size and weather.
Avoid exceeding these amounts unless soil conditions and weather clearly require it.
Best Practices
Apply water slowly at the base of the plant and across the root zone.
Avoid frequent shallow watering.
Maintain 2–3 inches of mulch, keeping mulch pulled back from trunks and stems.
Continue watering through fall until the ground freezes to reduce winter desiccation.
Signs of Overwatering in Evergreens
Evergreens prefer moist but well-drained soil. Constantly wet soil deprives roots of oxygen and can quickly cause decline.
Above-Ground Symptoms
Yellowing needles, especially on interior or lower branches
Excessive needle drop outside of normal seasonal shedding
Soft, dull, or limp needles
Slowed or stunted growth
Wilting even though the soil is wet
Soil & Root Zone Indicators
Soil remains wet or muddy several inches below the surface
Standing water or poor drainage at the plant base
Sour or rotten odor in the soil
Moss or algae forming on soil or mulch
Common Causes
Watering on a fixed schedule without checking soil moisture
Daily watering beyond the first establishment phase
Over-irrigation in heavy clay soils
Automatic irrigation running too long or too often
Mulch piled against trunks, trapping moisture
How to Correct Overwatering
Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings
Check moisture 4–6 inches deep before watering
Reduce watering frequency while maintaining deep soakings
Improve drainage if water pools at the base
Pull mulch away from trunks and stems
Important Reminder
Overwatering symptoms can resemble drought stress. Always check soil moisture before watering. When in doubt, allowing the soil to dry slightly is safer than keeping it saturated.
Tree Establishment Watering Guide
Proper watering during the establishment period is the single most important factor in the long-term health of newly planted trees. The goal is to encourage deep root growth while avoiding constant saturation of the soil.
Initial Watering (Day of Installation)
Water immediately after planting to settle soil and eliminate air pockets around the root ball.
Moisten the soil to a depth of 12–18 inches throughout the entire root zone.
Use a slow, deep watering method such as a tree watering bag (donut-style), drip irrigation, soaker hose, or a slow hose trickle.
Tree Watering Bags (Donut-Style)
Tree watering bags are one of the most effective tools for establishing new trees when used correctly.
How to Use
Place the watering bag around the trunk at the base of the tree and zip or secure it closed.
Fill the bag completely with water.
The bag will release water slowly over several hours, allowing deep infiltration into the root zone.
Frequency
Fill the watering bag 1–2 times per week during establishment.
During extreme heat, drought, or wind, additional fills may be necessary.
Allow the soil to partially dry between watering cycles.
Important Notes
Watering bags should supplement, not replace, monitoring soil moisture.
Do not keep the bag constantly full.
Remove or loosen the bag periodically to inspect the trunk and soil condition.
Watering Frequency (Without Bags)
If not using a watering bag:
Week 1: Water every 1–2 days, depending on weather and soil conditions.
Weeks 2–6: Water every 2–3 days.
After establishment: Transition to once per week deep watering.
Water Volume
Provide approximately 10–20 gallons per tree per week during establishment.
Larger trees, sandy soils, or exposed sites may require additional water.
Always adjust volume based on rainfall and soil moisture.
Best Practices for Tree Watering
Apply water slowly at the base of the trunk and outward toward the edge of the root ball.
Avoid frequent shallow watering, which encourages surface rooting.
Maintain 2–3 inches of mulch over the root zone, keeping mulch pulled back from direct contact with the trunk.
Never pile soil or mulch against the trunk flare.
Monitoring Soil Moisture
Check moisture 6–8 inches deep before watering.
Soil should be moist but not muddy or saturated.
If the soil remains wet for several days, reduce watering frequency.
Seasonal Considerations
Continue watering through fall until the ground freezes.
Fall watering is critical to reduce stress and improve winter survival.
Reduce watering frequency as temperatures cool, but do not allow the root zone to dry completely.
Signs of Improper Watering
Underwatering
Wilting or drooping leaves
Leaf scorch or browning edges
Dry, cracked soil around the root ball
Overwatering
Yellowing leaves
Poor growth or dieback
Constantly wet soil or standing water
Sour or rotten smell in the soil
Key Takeaway
Deep, infrequent watering is better than frequent light watering. Tree watering bags work best when used deliberately and monitored regularly, not left full at all times.