Best Summertime Plant Watering Tips

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Watering the shrubs, trees, and plants in your yard is a judgement call that depends on your yard’s soil, the weather, and the drainage on your property. Getting watering right also depends on observation and experience. So when watering, it’s important to take mental notes.

That said, there is only one hard and fast rule that applies to all plants: focus on the roots. It’s the roots that need access to water, not the leaves. You need to go beyond the quick dribble from a hose. Lawns and annuals have shallower roots – in the top 6” of soil. For perennials, shrubs, and trees, water needs to penetrate down to as deep as 12”.

Here are a few other tips:

  • Mulch – Two to three inches of mulch provides an effective layer of protection for your plants and shrubs. It reduces water runoff and slows evaporation from the soil so your plants stay moist longer.
  • Potted plants – Water your potted plants until you see water flowing freely from the pot’s drainage holes. As plants mature and summer heat rises place saucers beneath pots to catch runoff so plants can ‘sip’ water throughout the day.
  • Use the right tools – Use a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler to help you get down to the root zone. They deliver water directly to the soil while sprinklers leave much of their water on the leaves. Wet leaves can promote disease.
  • Seasons & time of day counts – When the weather is cooler, plants need less water. During summer’s dog days, it might seem like you can’t water enough, especially with potted plants. Water plants in the morning so leaves have time to get dried off by the sun.
  • Saving water from rain – Rain barrels are an excellent way to collect rain from downspouts, especially when located close to your garden beds. Just make sure the barrel overflow drains away from your home to avoid water in your basement.
  • Weeds – Weeds are annoying and unsightly. While weeding is never fun, it’s important as they steal moisture away from your plantings.