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Watering 101
While we've been lucky with more rainfall this year, did you know it still may not be enough water for your larger plants? The biggest contributing factor in this is the runoff. We've gotten so much precipitation so fast that most of it floods and runs off before having a chance to be soaked into the soil.

Good watering technique cannot be done in just 5 minutes for in-ground plants!
• If a sprinkler will be used, it needs to be directly hitting the root ball.
• The best watering management is accomplished by placing a hose near the base of the plant and turn water on a low trickle.
• If an attachment is added to the end of the hose that gives a circular pattern, it will ensure that the entire root ball is getting soaked.
• How frequently to water depends on soil texture (sandy soils dry out quicker than clay soils), mulch, sun, shade, rain and how hot the weather is.
• The best way to check if soil is moist is to stick your hand into the ground and see if the soil sticks to your hand. It is important to check your soil every 2 days after watering to make sure it is moist. 

So Then What's The Best Way To Water My Outdoor Plants?
Watering Recommendations Below:

Sandy soils: Crumbles in your hand – should be watered 3 times a week.
Clay soils: Stick together - should be watered once or twice a week.
Heavy clay: Hard like a rock – should be watered once a week.
Small shrub – 30 minutes
Large shrub – 1 hour
Trees – 1 hour
Ball & burlap trees – 2 hours or more depending on the size of the root ball.

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