07/01/2026
Heat waves are stressful on people & plants alike! Proper hydration is important in both cases. Here are some tips/suggestions.
💧newer plantings (this year) require more monitoring to keep the soil from drying out.
💧soils that are mulched around plants help soils from drying out too quickly & help reduce soil temps. Check soil conditions by pulling mulch back to check soil for moisture levels. Use this observation to decide how much is needed to properly hydrate the soil.
💧Know your soil type. Clay soils tend to hold moisture longer, drain more slowly. Be careful not to over apply water with heavier soils. Sandy soils do not hold moisture well & require more frequent waterings.
💧know your plants preference for soil moisture levels. Some plants (ex willow, sycamore, bald cypress, dawn redwood, red maple) prefer consistently moist conditions. Hot, dry conditions can easily stress these trees out. Lavender, allium, catmint, weeping peashrub, cherry are examples of plants that like good drainage & do not prefer the soil to be very moist for longer periods. Watering these aggressively can stress them & even cause them to perish.
💧we are often asked “how much should I apply?”. The simple answer is “enough to get the job done right”. Applying a gal of water may be enough for a plant, but how it is applied (slowly or a fast deluge) can often make a big difference in being effective. Following up by checking moisture levels (is the soil just surface moist or did it go down deep) helps to know if more or less is needed.
💧Monitoring your plants daily is important with hot & dry conditions. Changes in color, or form (wilting) indicate further investigation to see what is needed (more water or less).
💧Slow gentle applications of water are the best ways of applying. Some people use a bucket with one small hole near the bottom side wall. They simply place it by the tree, fill it up with water & let gravity slowly apply the water. Using a hose to apply with a spray pattern is helpful as well as soaker hoses.
💧when applying moisture, it is better to avoid getting foliage wet. If this is challenging to avoid, try to do early in the day to allow leaves to dry before evening sets in.
💧proper water care is essential to your plant’s success. The more attention spent to the areas mentioned above will help your plants establish and thrive. We are here to help with any questions you may have.
