Water Smarter, Not Harder: Summer Watering Tips for Healthy Plants 🌞💧

When the summer sun settles in over Massachusetts, your plants rely on you more than ever—but watering isn’t just about turning on the hose and hoping for the best. With a few simple adjustments to your watering habits, you can help your plants thrive all season long. Let’s dig in!

🌳 Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs: Deep Drinks, Not Daily Sips

It’s tempting to give your new plantings a little splash every day, but resist the urge! Light, frequent watering keeps the roots shallow and weak. Instead, water deeply every 2–3 days, giving the soil a chance to dry out slightly between waterings. This encourages roots to grow down and out in search of moisture, creating a stronger, more drought-resistant plant.

Pro Tip: Always water the soil, not the foliage. Wet leaves can invite fungal diseases, especially in our humid New England summers. A good soak around the root zone is what your plants are thirsting for.

How much should you water? Think in terms of gallons, not minutes. A newly planted tree or shrub might need 5–10 gallons per watering, depending on size and soil conditions. The goal is to saturate the root ball and surrounding soil, not just dampen the surface.

🌸 Hanging Baskets: The Thirst is Real

Hanging baskets are like the drama queens of the plant world—high-maintenance but worth it! With their limited soil volume and constant exposure to sun and wind, they need daily watering, sometimes twice a day during heat waves.

Make sure to water until it runs out the bottom of the pot—a sure sign the entire root ball has been moistened. Don’t just wet the top and call it a day.

🍅 Containers and Veggie Gardens: Keep It Consistent

Potted veggies and flowers also need daily watering, especially when temps soar. Inconsistent watering is a major cause of blossom end rot on tomatoes—that dreaded black patch on the bottom of your fruit. This condition is usually caused by calcium deficiency, which is often the result of irregular moisture levels.

Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy. Early morning is best so leaves dry quickly, reducing the risk of mildew and disease.

Let’s Review!

• Water deeply, not daily for trees and shrubs—every 2–3 days is perfect.

• Always water the soil, not the leaves.

• Hanging baskets and containers? Every day, until water runs through.

• Tomatoes hate stress—stay consistent to avoid blossom end rot.

Your plants will reward you with lush growth, fewer problems, and a whole lot of summer color. And if you’re still not sure if you’re watering correctly—swing by and talk to our garden experts. We love a good watering debate!