Helpful Information

Watering Guide For New Lawns And Landscapes

When is the best time to water:
Under ideal conditions your lawn should be dry at night and the hottest part of the day. When this is not possible, apply one of the following options:

1. Water in early evening. This allows the moisture to soak into the ground and soaked up by the roots overnight. The sun cannot evaporate the water and if you complete the cycles early enough you will not spread fungus spores via splashing droplets.
2. Set your timer to be finished with its watering cycleas you get up in the morning. This lets you take advantage of higher water pressures at night.
3. Set your timer to best utilize its watering capabilities during restrictions.

Watering your new seeded lawn by hand:

1. Water 2-3 times daily untill grass reaches 1”.
2. No run off or puddling should occur as this will cause seed to wash away.
3. The soil should stay darkened at all times.

After the grass reaches 1-2” in height, water only once per day, but double the watering time per area. Water everyday 7 times per week until seasonal weather differences require an increase or decrease in watering practices.

If you have rotary or oscillating sprinklers:

• In full sun, start with 10- 20 minutes per area.
• In shade or on a slope, start with 10-15 minutes per area.

It is important that while seed is becoming established, the ground remain dark in color to indicate that that it is moist but not wet to the point that puddles accumulate. Once your seed lawn matures to a height of 1-2” you want to irrigate less frequently, but more deeply. Once your lawn is established we recommend that your lawn receive 1” of water per week. This can be from nature or using one of the irrigation methods recommended above.

How to water your new Shrubs and Perennials:

1. Water every day for the first 2 weeks.
2. In the third and fourth weeks, water every other day.
3. Water twice a week after that through September.
4. Water once a week thereafter for the first year, if rainfall is sufficient.

If you have a soaker hose:

• Water 1 hour per area.

If you are hand watering with a hose:

• Water 2-15 minutes per plant, depending on size.

How to water your new trees:

1. Water every day for the first 2 weeks.
2. In the third and fourth weeks, water every other day.
3. Water twice a week after that through September.
4. Water once a week thereafter for the first year, if rainfall is sufficient.

If you have a soaker hose:

• Water 2 hours per area.

If you are hand watering with a hose:

• Water 20-60 minutes per tree depending on the size of the tree.

A good method for determining if your ornamental plants are getting enough water is to slip your fingers in along the plants root ball and feel if it is damp and cool to a depth of 3”-6”. If the soil is dry, or if it is saturated, you should fine tune your watering periods. Actual watering times and frequencies will vary depending on seasonal temperatures and rainfall amounts. In the second and subsequent years, rainfall should provide adequate watering.

Enjoy your new Lawn and or Landscape, and if you have any questions feel free to contact us at 607-272-0500 or via our contact us page.