Introduction

New shrubs can add beauty and value to your garden or landscape. However, to ensure that your shrubs thrive, it is important to know how often to water them. While watering frequency can vary depending on the type of shrub and its environment, this article will provide general guidelines for watering new shrub plants.

Factors to Consider

When determining how often to water new shrubs, several factors need to be considered. These include:

Type of shrub: Some shrubs, such as evergreens, require more consistent moisture while others, such as succulents, can tolerate drought-like conditions.

Location: Shrubs planted in direct sunlight or in windy areas will require more frequent watering than those planted in shadier, protected areas. In addition, shrubs planted in containers will require more frequent watering than those planted in the ground.

Soil type: Different soil types hold moisture differently. For example, sandy soil drains quicker than clay soil, and will require more frequent watering.

Climate: Areas with hot, dry climates will require more frequent watering than those with cool, moist climates.

General Guidelines

While the above factors should be considered, there are some general guidelines for watering new shrubs.

Water deeply: When watering new shrubs, it is important to ensure the water reaches the roots. Water deeply by slow dripping or applying several inches of water over the root zone (the area under the dripline of the shrub).

Let soil dry out between watering: Overwatering can be just as harmful as underwatering. Allow the soil to dry out somewhat between watering to prevent root damage.

Water in the morning: Watering in the morning allows for the soil to absorb the moisture before the sun evaporates it. This also prevents foliage from staying wet overnight, which can lead to fungal growth.

Use mulch: Applying a layer of mulch around the base of the shrub can help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Specific Frequency Guidelines

Based on the above factors and general guidelines, the following are some specific frequency guidelines for watering different types of new shrubs:

Evergreens: Depending on climate and soil type, water twice per week for the first month, then reduce to once per week for the remainder of the growing season.

Deciduous shrubs: Depending on climate and soil type, water once per week for the first month, then reduce to every other week for the remainder of the growing season.

Succulents: Water every two to three weeks depending on climate and soil type.

Container-grown shrubs: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Conclusion

Knowing how often to water new shrubs is an important step toward ensuring their health and longevity. By considering the specific needs of individual shrubs, keeping in mind general watering guidelines, and being consistent, you can help ensure that your new shrubs thrive and add beauty to your garden or landscape.