Caring for newly planted shurbs.?
Question:Recently we planted several shrubs around the house and deck (Abelia, Loropetalum, Mini Crepe Myrtle, Pieris -Compacta, Greenspire Euonymus & Golden Euonymus). We live in Raleigh, NC and the weather has been extremely hot and dry. I was wondering how much and often I should water these new plants? What is the best method of watering (water just at the base of the plant or should I shower the entire plant)? Also, should they be watered at a certain time of the day.
Answers:
Water in the morning, just before the sun comes up is optimal.
Watering in the evening, just after sundown is no good because plants do not take up water at that time and the water mostly evaporates away.
About two weeks after planting, you can cut back to every two to three days.
Water daily (if you did not use mulch) in the morning using a soaker hose. Since the shrubs are newly planted, they are establishing their root systems, and require deep watering. The foliage can be washed off every couple of days. Do this for the first week. Then water 3 times a week.
Adding a 3 inch layer of mulch will not only help hold the water in, it will help prevent weeds.
Above all too.don't forget to fertilize. Your shrubs need food too. My husband and I use Miracle Gro, and in early spring we always like to use the fertilizer stakes, which feed all season long. If it's an acid loving plant, Miracle Gro makes a fertilizer for them too.
As far as holding in moisture, it is a very good idea to put something around the shrubs to hold in the moisture. We have rock around all of our trees, which holds moisture excellently. We used to use a mulch, but it started getting too messy and not staying in place.
And if I am not mistaken, I have read that it is not a very good idea to put mulch around your house especially if you live in the south due to termites.
But if your weather is hot, water those new plants when the soil is dry about 2 inches down, which you should be able to poke your finger into the soil and check. We have used what is called a roort waterer and feeder, which hooks up to a hose and you then poke the rod down into the ground and you can then water and feed if you wish. Here is a site below that will show you what I am talking about. You can do the same thing with shrubs and trees. No wasting water and water goes directly where you want it to. You should be able to buy this same feeder/waterer at your local garden supply store.
And also make sure you give your new shrubs a drying out in between waterings or else you will just drown the plant and kill it. Like I said...do the finger poke test...if it's dry...water. Good luck with your new shrubs
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