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Watering Guidelines
Making the most of a valuable resource . . .

Introduction
In general terms it is best to let plants reach for their own water, and it would have to be in extreme circumstances that we would recommend watering established planting. Excess watering can lead to the formation of shallow roots and thereby create a plant that is vulnerable to drought and wind.

Grass
Water newly laid turf to full saturation until fully rooted – in other words, until you can no longer lift the turf with ease.

Seeded areas of grass should not be watered in at all - rain is best. If it rains and then is followed by a very prolonged dry period, you may see the grass ‘chitting’ and then drying. Under these circumstances we would advise modest watering, but only with great care. Apply the water using a very light sprinkler to avoid the formation of a cap that will prevent proper moisture absorption once the soil has dried again.

Once all of the grass seeds have germinated, it is then important to keep the seed bed moist until the seedlings have rooted.

Flower Beds
We always advise the use of mulch on a flower bed, not only to deter weeds, but also to help with water retention. To test to see if the border needs extra water, carefully scrape back the mulch and dig a hole 20 cms deep. Grip a handful of soil firmly in your hand and squeeze it. Assess the soil using the Squeeze Test:

The Squeeze Test

Drip Pipe
Flower and shrub borders will benefit from the use of drip pipe. These are easy to install and should lie discreetly under bark mulch. It requires a water pressure of approximately 1.5 bar to run a drip pipe of up to 700 metres in length, and most outside taps are between 2.0 and 4.0 bar. A typical drip pipe will have small holes every 50 cms and will deliver 2.3 litres of water per hole per hour.

During a dry spell, assuming the soil is moist beneath the mulch, two hours of watering per week should be sufficient, but check the moisture content of the soil using the squeeze test just to make sure.

Bark Mulch

The use of bark mulch around the plant has two main benefits. Not only does it suppress weeds, reducing competition and thereby giving the plant a better chance of growth, but it also retains moisture in the ground. A well-applied mulch will permit all available water to soak through to the roots and then prevent water loss through evaporation.

Mulch is available in various grades, from fine to course, and can be produced from a number of different materials, including plastic, bark, straw, gravel or peat (beware wood chips). We recommend that mulch be typically applied to a depth of around 7cms.

Hedges
Hedges benefit massively from the use of drip pipe. It is relatively cheap and will give a good result for establishment. Bark Mulch is also very valuable, and our experience suggests that soil under a bark mulch will dry out up to eight weeks later than unprotected soil in a dry spell. The drip pipe should be installed prior to mulching and then covered. This ensures that the water reaches the soil quickly, is not subjected to evaporation, and unsightly piping is hidden by the mulch.

Smaller Planted Trees
In many cases where large numbers of smaller trees (less than 2 metres) have been planted, it may not be economically worthwhile to water them. Using a bowser can prove to be a very costly exercise, and yet may still not supply each plant with the appropriate amount of water.

In such cases it may be more cost-effective not to water at all, but simply to replace those few trees that fail.

Larger Planted Trees
During a typical warm summer, a tree with a one-metre canopy will require approximately 40-80 litres of water per week. When planting a larger tree (taller than 3
metres) we recommend that a watering tube is included to ensure that any water given goes directly to the roots. Our planting diagram illustrates the principles and procedures. After planting, trees will need watering once or twice per week, depending upon conditions, using a hosepipe or bucket. This should be sufficient to wet the soil thoroughly, but not to the point of saturation - if in doubt, check with the Squeeze Test. A dressing of Bark Mulch will reduce water loss from evaporation, and also act as a weed supressant

Remember
Too much water can be just as harmful as too little. If you are unsure, carry out the soil squeeze test, and see if your plants really need extra water. Be especially careful with Taxus (Yew) and Ilex (Holly). If in any doubt, please ask.

Contacts
If you would like further advice on watering, please check out our interactive diagram by following this link, or contact Nicholson Nurseries, either by telephone or by using the email links on the Contacts page. If your problem is particularly acute, it is also possible to request a site visit, so that Nicholsons staff can offer advice on soil, watering and wider plant care. We are able to provide this service throughout Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties, including Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, Berkshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire.