A Quick Guide to Watering New Plants

Ensure newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials are watered thoroughly at this time of year; particularly after windy conditions which desiccate lush foliage and plants become root stressed.

Give them a good soaking twice a week (ideally early morning to avoid evaporation) rather than little and often (which makes plants more dependent on water). Use a hose or watering can and aim to water the base of the plant rather than the foliage. It is worth installing seep hoses or automatic irrigation systems to save time.

Mulch plants (to a depth of at least 2” or 5cms) after watering the soil, to help them retain moisture around their roots and protect against drought conditions.