Watering Guidelines

There is no one perfect answer to this question as each planting is unique. Use your knowlege of the soil and land features along with this general guide. In nature, seeds will lie dormant until they are in the right environmental conditions to germinate, which could range from weeks, to months, to years.

If irrigation is utilized to speed along nature’s germination process, water frequently and lightly in order to prevent topsoil from drying (this can be up to multiple times a day depending on precipitation, temperature, and sun exposure). Be sure not to overwater or flood your seedbed as seeds will float to the top.

Do not let seedbed dry out. Light watering will likely be every day depending on the climate. Feel the soil with your hand or install a rain gauge to monitor daily watering amount. When wildflower seedlings have reached an inch in height, and grasses have 3 to 5 blades per sprout, watering frequency may be reduced.

Deeper waterings a few times a week will encourage roots to grow deeper as they search for water. This will help establish a deep healthy root system and encourage overall plant health.

Do not overwater. Most of our native plants appreciate the opportunity to dry out. They are built for it. Overwatered plants will have yellow or brown droopy leaves, despite wet soil. When root rot sets in and plants are unable to absorb water. Dropping of both old and new leaves, mushy stems, and a rotten odor indicate root rot and overwatering. Plants are prone to fungus and mold when overwatered, so look for signs of discoloration on leaves. In the case of under watering, plants will wilt, drop leaves, have browned tips, and demonstrate slow growth and smaller leaves. As your native plants become established, wean off supplemental water, and only provide when signs of stress are present such as in situations of severe drought.

When watering established native perennials, the time of year and location should be considered. During the summer when temperatures are above 95, established species appreciate a deep watering once every week or two. When temperatures cool down, watering frequency can be lowered to every two to three weeks. When plants are fully dormant, no supplemental water is needed. Plants should be watered when soil 5”-10” deep is dry.

Native grass lawns do not require water to survive but will go dormant without it during a drought, as well as going dormant naturally in the winter. To maintain a green lawn during a drought, water established native turf once every week or two. Native plants are acclimated to our droughts, and many will go dormant when stressed as they wait for precipitation to flush out new growth. Using xeric plants and allowing our native landscapes to go dormant saves our most precious resource, water. To pull plants out of dormancy and keep your landscape green, watering once a week or two should suffice.

Water Conservation is Essential

. Watering at dawn and dusk limits evaporation. Healthy soil rich in organic matter acts like a sponge and helps hold in moisture. Slow, deep watering limits runoff and allows water to soak deep into the soil. Allow soil time to slowly absorb water, where it sinks deeper into the soil, encouraging deep roots that will better withstand future droughts.

Conventional lawns suck up 70% of water used in landscapes. Help us move away from this alarming statistic by using native plants and watering minimally and efficiently so we can conserve our most precious resource.