Watering Guide
Your Plants Need Water!
When and How to Water Your New Landscape
Because the root systems of a newly planted landscape are limited to the base of each plant, applying water near the base of plant by hand watering is preferred method. A good thorough watering weekly and soaking for the first establishment year. Proper watering is one of the most important factors in producing top quality plants, one of the least understood practices, and the most difficult to explain to the beginning gardener and customers. Plants need about one inch of water per week, from rain or otherwise, around the base of the plant during the establishment year. In subsequent years during period of rapid growth, which occur typically during wet, spring weather, plants will require about one inch of water per week. After the rapid growth phase, plants may go as long as three weeks without rain or irrigation. If drought periods occur for longer that three weeks about 1.5 inches of water should be applied every three weeks just to maintain plant life processes. The irrigation should be applied slowly to soil so that it can penetrate and not run off.
When and How to Water Your New Landscape
Because the root systems of a newly planted landscape are limited to the base of each plant, applying water near the base of plant by hand watering is preferred method. A good thorough watering weekly and soaking for the first establishment year. Proper watering is one of the most important factors in producing top quality plants, one of the least understood practices, and the most difficult to explain to the beginning gardener and customers. Plants need about one inch of water per week, from rain or otherwise, around the base of the plant during the establishment year. In subsequent years during period of rapid growth, which occur typically during wet, spring weather, plants will require about one inch of water per week. After the rapid growth phase, plants may go as long as three weeks without rain or irrigation. If drought periods occur for longer that three weeks about 1.5 inches of water should be applied every three weeks just to maintain plant life processes. The irrigation should be applied slowly to soil so that it can penetrate and not run off.
Sod Guide
WATERING
KEEP SOD TOTALLY MOIST FOR AT LEAST THREE WEEKS
First Day: Thoroughly saturate sod and soil beneath to two inches.
First Two Weeks: Water once a day to maintain even moistness.
Third Week: Water two-three times depending on weather.
Sod should begin to become established by the end of the third week. After the third week, water as necessary for healthy grass (approximately one inch of water per week). Very often summer rains are not sufficient. Water even if it rains, unless precipitation amounts to 4/10th inch or more.
NUTRITION
A lawn requires 3 to 4 lbs. of Nitrogen per year with 90% applied in the fall.
March 15th-April 15th: Apply Crabgrass Control
May 1st-15th: Apply .9 to 1 lb Nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft.
Scott’s Lawn Care products are excellent and we would recommend an application of Scott’s Turf Builder.
September 1st-15th: Repeat May application.
October 1st-15th: Repeat May application.
November or first part of December: Apply an application of Urea (46-0-0) at the rate of 2 ½ to 3 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.
This product is available at local feed stores.
NOTE: A broadcasting-type fertilizer spreader is highly recommended. Proper calibration/distribution of fertilizer is very important.
BROADLEAF WEED & CRABGRASS CONTROL
Crabgrass control must be applied no later thank the 2nd week of April (preferably the first week of April). Scotts also has a good selection of do-it-yourself products and we recommend their straight crabgrass control with no fertilizer
INSECT CONTROL
Generally, an application of an insecticide the first of June is sufficient to control grub damage to the lawn. Weather conditions and the formation of grubs vary as to exact timing of application. Cut and lift a small section of lawn to look for grub activity beneath the roots. Then spray liquid or apply dry application of material and water product in.
KEEP SOD TOTALLY MOIST FOR AT LEAST THREE WEEKS
First Day: Thoroughly saturate sod and soil beneath to two inches.
First Two Weeks: Water once a day to maintain even moistness.
Third Week: Water two-three times depending on weather.
Sod should begin to become established by the end of the third week. After the third week, water as necessary for healthy grass (approximately one inch of water per week). Very often summer rains are not sufficient. Water even if it rains, unless precipitation amounts to 4/10th inch or more.
NUTRITION
A lawn requires 3 to 4 lbs. of Nitrogen per year with 90% applied in the fall.
March 15th-April 15th: Apply Crabgrass Control
May 1st-15th: Apply .9 to 1 lb Nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft.
Scott’s Lawn Care products are excellent and we would recommend an application of Scott’s Turf Builder.
September 1st-15th: Repeat May application.
October 1st-15th: Repeat May application.
November or first part of December: Apply an application of Urea (46-0-0) at the rate of 2 ½ to 3 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft.
This product is available at local feed stores.
NOTE: A broadcasting-type fertilizer spreader is highly recommended. Proper calibration/distribution of fertilizer is very important.
BROADLEAF WEED & CRABGRASS CONTROL
Crabgrass control must be applied no later thank the 2nd week of April (preferably the first week of April). Scotts also has a good selection of do-it-yourself products and we recommend their straight crabgrass control with no fertilizer
INSECT CONTROL
Generally, an application of an insecticide the first of June is sufficient to control grub damage to the lawn. Weather conditions and the formation of grubs vary as to exact timing of application. Cut and lift a small section of lawn to look for grub activity beneath the roots. Then spray liquid or apply dry application of material and water product in.
Helpful Links
USDA PLANTS - A database of plants and other flora with detailed information regarding each species.
