Emmett Middaugh
4112 S Butte Ln, Gilbert, AZ 85297
Everything we planted today is a 5 gallon shrub, and for the next 8 weeks they all follow the same schedule. The goal is simple: water deep, and never let the root ball dry out while the roots grow out into your soil.
Your First 8 Weeks
October 28 to December 22Right now each plant's roots are still packed into the original nursery root ball. That root ball dries out much faster than the soil around it, even when the ground looks damp. Frequent deep watering early on keeps it moist while new roots push out. As the roots spread, you stretch out the days between waterings.
| Dates | Weeks | Water every |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 28 to Nov 10 | Weeks 1 and 2 | 2 to 3 days |
| Nov 11 to Nov 24 | Weeks 3 and 4 | 4 to 6 days |
| Nov 25 to Dec 8 | Weeks 5 and 6 | 6 to 8 days |
| Dec 9 to Dec 22 | Weeks 7 and 8 | 8 to 12 days |
This errs on the side of caution, a little more often than the county guides. With fall temperatures that's exactly what new plants want.
Don't skip a watering after it rains. Our rain almost never soaks in deep enough to reach the root ball, so stay on schedule.
Water Deep
Every time you waterHow deep the water goes matters more than how often. Every watering should soak the whole root ball and the soil below it. Deep water pulls roots down where the soil stays cool, and shallow water keeps them near the surface where they cook in summer.
12 to 18 inches
For your 5 gallon shrubs, water should reach at least 12 inches down, and 18 inches is even better.
The screwdriver test
A few hours after watering, push a long screwdriver or piece of rebar into the soil next to a plant. It slides easily through wet soil and stops where the water stopped. If it stops short, run the zone longer.
Each plant is on its own spider emitter, so the water spreads around the whole root ball instead of hitting one spot. That's what keeps these plants from going the way of the first orange jubilee hedge.
What to Look For
Check every few daysWilting or crispy edges
Leaves droop in the morning or edges turn brown and crispy. Push a finger into the root ball itself. If it's dry, water sooner and longer.
Yellow leaves, soggy soil
Leaves turn yellow and drop, and the soil stays soggy for days. Give it an extra day or two between waterings.
A few dropped leaves
Some leaf drop and a slow first few weeks are normal transplant shock. New growth is the sign the roots are settling in.
Also keep an eye on the emitters. Make sure each spider emitter is still in place at its plant and flowing, especially after any yard work.
After the First 8 Weeks
Through the rest of winter, water about every 10 to 14 days, still soaking to that same depth. When temperatures climb in spring, shorten the time between waterings again, and by summer plan on about every 4 to 7 days with the same deep soak. If you're ever unsure, check the root zone before you change anything.
As a consult client, you have direct access to me in the Garden Nerd Club. Reach out there or text us anytime with questions.
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