Perennial Landscape Corporation of Massachusetts
Watering Recommendations for New Plantings
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Watering Recommendations for New Plantings
Why?
New Plants do not yet have sufficient root systems to sustain themselves. The idea is to water regularly so that the roots will grow deeply into the soil, eventually providing enough root structure to be self-sustaining in all but extreme drought.
When?
Water at least 2 to 3 times weekly for the first year. Do not water when ground is frozen. However, if there is a sustained thaw, even in winter, water once a week. Watering should continue for at least 2 or 3 years to establish plants and during periods of drought.
Water in early morning, preferably or late afternoon. Do not water in the middle of the day — too hot — or early evening — plants need to dry off before nightfall to avoid mildew and other complications.
Every so often you must check the soil with your fingers underneath the mulch to see if you are watering too much or too little. The soil should not be soaking wet and should occasionally be rather dry for air to enter. The growth of the root system is dependent on a balance between earth, water and air pockets. Your judgement must enter in. If it rains an inch, for example, the soil will take water in to a depth, but if you just watered, that same rain would penetrate more deeply.
How?
To water throughly, the water must be absorbed by the soil very slowly. The hose should be laid next to each plant without the nozzle and turned down to a trickle and left to run as follows:
Large trees: 5-10 minutes – up to as much as one hour if root ball is very dry (check by digging next to the root ball 4 to 6 inches deep).
Smaller trees and shrubs: 2-5 minutes – up to 30 minutes if very dry.
Perennials and vines: up to one minute.
Grass and ground covers can be watered using a sprinkler and should be watered daily for 30 minutes for the first two or three weeks and thereafter 2 to 3 times weekly.
When using a soaker hose system, it can be programmed to water 2 to 3 times weekly for about 30 minutes – depending on local conditions of soil and temperature. The soil should be checked with your fingers regularly to ensure that it is not getting too wet or too dry.
About Perennial Landscape Services
Creating distinguished landscape environments in Winchester, Lexington, Concord, Weston, Wellesley, Lynnfield, Carlisle, Andover, Bedford and surrounding Massachusetts’ communities since 1995.,
Create your own perfect outdoor living area from start to finish with our complete landscape design and landscape construction services!
Services include:
- Stone Walls, retaining walls and masonry
- Landscape lighting
- Patios and walkways — all types
- New lawns, grass seeding and sod installation
- New plantings
- Waterfalls and ponds
- Fencing
- Plant and shrub installation
- Bobcat work and grading
- Pruning trees and hedge trimming
- Spring clean-ups and Fall clean-ups
- Lawn mowing
- Full service all-season maintenance for lawns and gardens
- And much more!
Please note: When we start your project we will be on-site until the job is 100% complete!
Sample Lawncare Maintenance Program
March/April — Spring clean up, thatch lawn, install mulch,
re-edge beds and remove all debris.
July/August — Prune and trim all shrubs and hedges. Weed all existing planting beds.
September — Aerate lawn and mowing.
October/November — Fall clean up, rake leaves and remove all debris. One clean up to be done mid to late October, two clean-ups in November, weather permitting.
- Lawn Mowing — Once a week, including trimming and blow down of all walks, walkways, edges and appropriate areas. (4 cuts per month, 5th is additional)
- Weeding — Available on a monthly or as needed basis.
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Scott Carzo
Owner & Founder
Creating distinguished landscape environments in Winchester, Lexington, Concord, Weston, Wellesley, Lynnfield, Carlisle, Andover, Bedford and surrounding Massachusetts’ communities since 1995.
Scott Carzo
Creating distinguished landscape environments in Winchester, Lexington, Concord, Weston, Wellesley, Lynnfield, Carlisle, Andover, Bedford and surrounding Massachusetts’ communities since 1995.
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