You can tell quickly if your plants need water by digging around with your hands, a soil probe, garden trowel, or shovel. Don’t wait for the plants to tell you by wilting and leaves dropping off! Pull the mulch back, stick your finger in the ground and see if it is wet or dry.

Be careful to avoid watering so much that there is standing water. This could cause the plants to develop other issues.

Before starting to water, check that the hose water is not too hot! If your hose has been sitting in the sun, chances are the water coming out will also be pretty hot and can potentially burn your new plants. Let it run for a few seconds until you feel it start to cool down. 

 Utilize tools that are in most box stores or even laying around in your garage.

Watering wands (similar to a shower head), you can attach it to the end of your hose and water each plant individually for about 15-20 seconds, take a 20 second break, then come back and repeat for another 15-20 seconds for that small plant. Please keep in mind, the larger the plants, the more water they will require.

 It is best to water in the morning or at least 3-4 hours before dusk. This helps prevent the plants from remaining wet all night and fungus/disease developing.

Please make sure you are watering regularly and checking the soil around the plant. Consider the new plantings like a new baby. They need tender, love, and care, to take root and survive the summer heat. No matter what season your plants are installed, they need that consistent care, year round. 

Watering is the most important thing during this heat to help your lawn and plants. Whether you have a $1,000 irrigation system or a $3 sprinkler from Wal-Mart, something is better than nothing.