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How much water?

Garden noobGarden noob Posts: 260
in Plants
In the winter we bought a young cherry plum tree that was ~6' tall and the instructions said to keep it well watered in the first year.

On a practical level, what does that mean to you? The tree is in a short raised bed (8" high).

I've been giving it a drink every 2-3 days when it's been hot (say 23 degrees C or higher), but otherwise left it. If we get a heatwave of 28+ I would water it daily. Does that sound fair?

Can I assume that if it looks healthy it's probably fine, or is that misleading?

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Was it bare root or in a pot?  If bare root, I would water it twice a week with a good soak, or whenever a finger stick into the soil felt dry at finger depth.  If it was in a pot, probabaly a good soak once a week, along with a finger check every few days.  Let the hose run on it for 5-10 minutes, giving it a deep soak.  You want it to develop deep roots for drawing up it's own water and helping to support it in the wind and weather.  
    Utah, USA.
  • Garden noobGarden noob Posts: 260
    Thanks Blue Onion. It was in a pot so I'll go with a good soak once a week.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    Here's a good way to water a permanent plant such as a fruit tree while it's getting established.  Cut the bottom three inches or so off a plastic bottle.  Bury the rest of it upside down beside the plant, with about two inches protruding.  Squash the bottom piece over it to stop it filling with dirt.  This way, you can deliver the water underground, encouraging the plant roots downwards, and less water is lost by evaporation.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Great suggestion!  Easy to pull up during late winter, once the tree is established.  
    Utah, USA.
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