Our 8 quick tips will help you do more effective lawn and landscape watering. Sara Bergstrom, Flickr.
Watering is really important to keep your plants healthy. Now is the time to think about watering, before we get into hot and dry summer weather.
Would you like to do a better job of lawn and landscape watering? Follow our 8 quick tips.
How to water
1. Water slowly and deeply. Deeper watering creates plants with deeper roots. They will be healthier and will tolerate hot, dry conditions better. Shallow, frequent watering (such as a few minutes every day) creates plants with shallow roots. They will be prone to drought stress.
2. Water the entire root zone. For most plants, such as trees and shrubs, the active root zone is at the outer tips of the leaves or even further out. It is not helpful to water a tree near the trunk.
3. Let the soil partially dry out before you water again. Roots get needed air when the soil is allowed to dry out some between waterings.
4. Water when it is cool. Morning is the best time. Early evening is second best. If you water during the day, especially when it is hot and sunny, most of the water is wasted.
What to water
5. Most important: water anything that is newly planted. Trees, shrubs and perennials need regular watering for the first two or three growing seasons.
6. Your lawn needs water during the entire growing season. Do not allow your lawn to go dormant in the summer. It will become weak and thin, making it vulnerable to invasions from weeds, moss and insect pests. Read more about lawn watering for a healthy, Bee Friendly Lawn.
7. Shrubs and perennials need occasional water to stay healthy—even if they are “drought tolerant.” Drought tolerant does not mean they can survive with no watering.
8. Trees need water too. As our summers get hotter and drier, we are seeing drought stress in some of our clients’ trees. Accumulated drought stress over several years may eventually kill the tree. Occasional deep watering will help your trees stay healthy and fend off pests. Be patient: it may take a few hours to penetrate deeply. A soil probe is a good investment.
Watering resources
Blog posts on lawn and landscape watering
Check out some of our blog posts for information about how and why to water.
- Give your plant a good start: how to plant and water it
- How to water for a Bee Friendly Lawn
- Tips for summer lawn health
- Watering tips for Seattle landscapes
- Choose drought-tolerant plants and reduce time you spend watering
- Watering will help manage insect problems
- Invest in watering for landscape dividends
- Plants need water to survive and thrive
- Smart watering: how much, when and how long to water
Watering playlist on YouTube
Our YouTube playlist on Watering Your Lawn and Garden has several videos on the basics of watering, watering systems, watering new plants and trees, and more.
- Watering 101: Create Strong and Healthy Plants
- A Good Start: How to Plant and Water a New Plant
- Tree Gators: How to Water a New Tree
- Water Timers: Make Your Watering Easier
- How Much Water? Rain Gauges, Sensors and Tuna Cans
- Watering Systems: Wands, Hoses and Sprinklers
- Choosing and Using Mulch
- Measuring One Inch of Water
- Natural Lawn Care: Smart Watering
Other resources
- The Saving Water Partnership has loads of good information on lawn and landscape watering, including automatic systems, choosing and using drip irrigation and soaker hoses and more.
- Seattle Public Utilities has a guide on Smart Watering.
- Swanson’s Nursery has a good article on best watering practices.
Photo: Sara Bergstorm, Flickr.
