Watering New Flowerbed - Knowledgebase Question

Dallas, GA
Avatar for hrrsn360
Question by hrrsn360
May 6, 2000
I am a new gardener and I planted both perennials and annuals in my flowerbed. I have read to water them well until the roots take. How much is "well" and how do I know when the roots take? Are there general guidelines? I live is Ga.


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Answer from NGA
May 6, 2000
It's better to water deeply, and less often, than giving plants a light watering each day. Deep watering encourages plants to grow deep roots that are better able to withstand periods of drought. The best method is to use a soaker hose, which places water right at soil level and minimizes the water wasted through evaporation. The idea is to soak the soil down to the depth of the root ball. So, if your perennials have 6" deep roots, try to water the plants so the soil 6" down is moist. The best way to test the depth the water is reacihing is to simply dig a hole with a trowel -- without destroying your new plants' roots, of course.

In hot, dry weather, you might need to water 2 or 3 times a week until plants settle in. Then, once a week usually suffices -- unless nature provides.

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