I recently planted some Autumn Blaze and River Birch trees on the edge of my property, and they're out of reach of my hoses. I'm looking for the best techniques to water them properly. How much water should I give them, and how often should I be doing it?
3 Answers
If they're too far for your hoses, consider getting a longer hose—it's usually the easiest option! Otherwise, you'll have to haul water in buckets, which isn’t exactly fun. For the first month, aim to water them deeply at least three times a week. That will really help them establish!
I like to use rain barrels instead of hoses. I just take a 5-gallon bucket, drill a small hole in the bottom, and place it by the tree. Then, I fill it from a water source and let it slowly release into the roots. For my trees, I give about 4 gallons twice a week unless it rains well, and it works great!
I planted an 8-foot tall maple in my yard, and I wasn't keen on dragging out the hose every day, so I used a 2-gallon watering can. I watered it twice a day, giving it 4 gallons total daily for the first couple of weeks. After that, I let my sprinklers handle it, and it's thriving two months later!
What does "deep watering" involve? Is it something I need special tools for?