Watering Guides
The following is a general watering guide.
Depending on weather, soil, and fertilization conditions
exact watering can greatly differ from one yard to the next.
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Hose watering fill the well 3 -5 times to saturate root ball 5-6 times for 30” box or larger.
Drip watering deep soak for at least 2 hours see “Drip systems (general info)” below.
Trees and Shrubs (newly planted in the ground only):
(For best results: use Vitamin B-1 every time you water for the first month.)
93° or above – Water every day for first 3 days/ Then, every other day for 1 week / Then, 3 times the following week./
Finally, trees once every 3 days and shrubs once every 2 days.
81° – 92°- Every day for first 3 days./Then, every other day for remainder of week./Then,3 times a week/
Finally, trees once every 7 days and shrubs once every 3 days.
70° – 81°- Every day for first 2 days/ Then, 3 days later./ Then, 10 days later./
Finally, trees every 21 days and shrubs every 14 days.
Below 70°- Every day for first 2 days./Then, 5 days later./Then, 14 days later./
Finally, trees every 30 days and shrubs every 21 days.
CRITICAL! Never water every day after first week in the ground!
Always deep soak, then let them dry out!
Cactus, Succulents, Euphorbias, most Agaves, and Hardwood Yuccas:
When watering deep soak then let dry out completely.
(Cactus store water until next rain or water.)
May, June, July, & Aug. – Deep soak once a month unless it rains.
Sept, March, & April. – Water lightly once a month unless it rains.
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, & Feb. – Do not water.
(Ocotillos)- May, June, July, and Aug. Spray from top to bottom twice a month.
in addition to the once a month deep watering for those months only.
Trees and Shrubs (established plants only):
CRITICAL! ALWAYS! Readjust your system or timer when the temperature changes.
93° or above – Trees once every 7 days unless it rains, shrubs once every 3 days unless it rains.
81° – 92°– Trees once every 14 days unless it rains, shrubs once every 7 days unless it rains.
70° – 81°– Trees once every 21 days unless it rains, shrubs once every 14 days unless it rains.
Below 70°– Trees once every 30 days unless it rains, shrubs once every 21 days unless it
Over-watering signs:
1. Soil is constantly damp.
2. Leaves turn light green or yellow.
3. New shoots are wilting.
4. Leaves are green yet brittle
5. Algae and mushrooms start growing
Under-watering signs:
1. Soil is dry.
2. Older leaves turn yellow or brown
& drop off.
3. All leaves are wilted.
4. Leaves start to curl.
Drip systems (general info)
When watering trees and shrubs with a drip system, always deep soak for at least 2 hours or more,
then let them dry out.)
For best results trees and shrubs should be on their own separate drip lines.
CRITICAL! Never water every day after first week in the ground.
Shrub type plants use only one 2-gal/8qt drip emitter per plant.
Trees use one or more 4-gal/16qt drip emitters per plant. Example below.
Use of 4gal. emitters per tree.
#5-gal bucket = 1 emitter
#15-gal bucket = 1-2 emitters
24inch box = 2-4 emitters
36inch box = 4-6 emitters
As trees get older you will add more emitters to to each tree while pulling the emitters further away from the trunk towards the drip line (where water drips off leaves when it rains).
Richard’s Garden Center uses and recommends flag type emitters like this for
ease of use and set flow rates.
Richard’s Garden Center is a licensed landscape and sprinkler contractor
We repair, install, maintain, and adjust watering systems for commercial and home owners all over the valley
If you need help, or just don’t have time or the expertise
Give us a call or email to set up an appointment
623-434-6922
help@rgcaz.com