Crabapple LandscapExperts offer some watering tips to residents of communities whose public grounds we manage.
How to Water
Water the roots, not the leaves
Water deeply to the proper soil depth for the root ball
6 to 8 inches of the root zone should be moistened
Methods of Application
Open-ended hose directly on the soil
Watering can without the rose (sans the sprinkling tip)
Soaker hoses
Plants Need Air AND Water
Too much water is as harmful as too little.
Automatic shutoff timers are very useful
Use over-ride on completely automatic systems if rain
provides water
Plants in Special Need of Watering
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| Blueberries need water as they ripen |
- Plants with swelling fruits, such as blueberries, tomatoes, cucumber, watermelon, zucchini
- Newly planted or transplanted plants – roots have not settled into the soil in the new location yet and dry out quickly. Supply extra water to transplants for 6 months to a year, depending on size (keep supplying water to large-calilper trees or shrubs for the longest period)
- After bloom- Cut plants back to remove the old flowers and eliminate the formation of seeds (dead heading). Then they may give a second wave of bloom as a reward!
When to Water? Timing of Watering
The Crabapple Team waters early in the day
Do not use an oscillating sprinkler over the lunch hour --
too much evaporative loss of water at high noon
Do not wet the leaves after work in the evening – fungus disease
spores germinate in standing water on the leaf overnight, so make sure they go into dark dry
Sensible Water Use
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| Water Breaker Nozzle |
Use a water breaker nozzle or soaker hose
Apply organic mulch after planting, as this acts as an insulation and reduces water evaporation
Recycle milk jugs by filling them with water and setting next to new transplants or plants in small containers for emergency spot watering
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| 20-gallon Tree Gator |
Outfit expensive transplanted trees with a water bag for trees such as the 20-gallon slow-release TreeGator or Oasis Watering Bag
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