Lawn & Garden Watering Guidelines
There is no magical formula or exact rule for watering…these are guidelines.
For Newly Installed Plants (flowers, perennials, small shrubs):
Tips:
The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist throughout the 1st growing season.
Frequency and watering time will vary by plant type and how much sun/shade the plant gets (the goal is to keep the soil moist but not oversaturated).
Adjust watering frequency/intervals based on how quickly your soil soaks up water (run times will vary in each yard due to location and the amount of sun or shade).
If your plants are showing signs of stress, check the soil to see if more or less water more as needed.
For more information, Neil Sperry has an online article titled, “Over-watering? Under-watering? How to Tell the Difference.”
Avoid watering between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Guidelines:
If temperatures are moderate, water every other day for the first 4 weeks.
If temperatures are 90 degrees or higher, water every day for the first 4 weeks.
During Texas summers, you may need to water every day even after the first 4 weeks.
Sometimes sprinklers and drip lines are not enough to adequately water your plants.
Hand watering is the best way to make sure you are watering as thoroughly as possible.
Water a few times a week for the remainder of the growing season.
Adjust for rainfall.
Note: The above guidelines are suggestions for a starting point. Continue to monitor your soil by probing for adequate soil moisture. The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist, but not over-saturated.
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For Newly Installed Trees (15 gallons or larger)
Tips:
Use a slow soak, deep watering method (eg. Hand watering, soaker hose, bubbler, etc…)
Your sprinkler system (spray and rotary heads) will not be enough to adequately water new trees.
If the soil stays squishy wet, you are over watering.
Goal is to keep the soil evenly moist to a depth of 12” to 18”
Texas A&M University has a pdf of “Tree Watering Tips-Caring for trees during extreme drought.”
Guidelines:
At least 3 times a week.
Water more during the summer months (June – Sep).
Each watering time, 5 gallons of water for every caliper inch of the tree.
15g Tree = 1 ¼” – 1 ½” caliper
30g Tree = 2” – 2 ½” caliper
45g Tree = 2 ½” – 3” caliper
For Newly Installed Sod:
Tips:
Avoid watering at night (excessive moisture overnight can promote fungus).
Water early/late morning (3am – 12pm).
Break up your watering into 2 cycles (ex. Start 1st cycle at 4am, next cycle at 10am).
Keep the new sod moist at all times, if the sod dries out, it will die and it won’t recover.
For more detailed guidelines about watering specific grass types, check out this article, “Watering Guidelines by Grass Type.”
Guidelines:
1st two weeks – water every day, 2 times a day for about 10-12 minutes each cycle (double the time for rotary spray heads).
3rd week – water every day, 2 times a day for about 10-12 minutes (double the time for rotary spray heads).
Water normally for the 4th week and beyond.
During Texas summers, you may need to double the run time for each cycle.
If it rains, you can adjust your watering schedule.
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Note: The above guidelines are suggestions for a starting point. Continue to monitor your soil by probing for adequate soil moisture. If you experience wet or dry areas in your yard, adjust your irrigation system accordingly.
If you have any questions or concerns about the condition of your plants, please let us know!
