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Plant Care Instructions — Watering Guide

A RESOURCE FROM CASELLA DESIGN AND BUILD CUSTOMERS

Plant Care Instructions

How to Water Your New Landscape

Thank you for trusting Cassella Design & Build with your outdoor space. Proper watering is the single most important thing you can do to protect your investment and help your new plants establish strong, healthy roots.

This guide covers everything you need to know for Year 1 and beyond.

The Golden Rule

Always Check Before You Water

Do not water on a fixed schedule. Instead, check your soil first — every time.

How to check: Push your finger 4–5 inches into the soil near the base of the plant. If the soil feels moist, wait. If it feels dry, water deeply.

This simple habit prevents the two most common mistakes homeowners make: overwatering and underwatering — both of which cause the same symptom: wilting. Wilted or drooping leaves do not automatically mean a plant is thirsty. Soggy, overwatered roots wilt just as badly as dry ones.

How Often to Water

Weeks 1–2 After Installation

Water every day. Your plants have just been transplanted and their root systems need consistent moisture to establish. Check soil moisture each morning and water until the entire root ball and surrounding soil are thoroughly saturated.

Weeks 3–12

Water every 2–3 days, continuing to check soil moisture before each watering. As roots begin anchoring into your native soil, they'll become more resilient. Adjust based on rainfall and temperature — hot, dry weeks require more frequent watering.

After the First 3 Months

Water 1–2 times per week during warm months, less during cooler weather. By this point, your plants should show signs of new growth, which means root establishment is progressing well.

Year 2 and Beyond

Most established plants in Northern Virginia only need supplemental watering during extended dry spells (more than 2 weeks without rain). Nature will do most of the work.

How to Water Correctly

Water deeply — not frequently. Light, surface-level watering is worse than not watering at all. It encourages shallow roots that can't survive summer heat or drought.

The goal every time you water is to saturate the entire root ball and the surrounding soil 4–5 inches deep.

You'll know you've watered enough when:

-Water briefly pools on the surface before soaking in

-The soil feels thoroughly moist several inches down when you check

Water in the early morning when possible. This reduces evaporation and gives foliage time to dry before nightfall, lowering the risk of fungal issues.

Avoid watering during peak afternoon heat. Most of the water evaporates before it reaches the roots.

Plants That Need Extra Attention

Some plants in your landscape are more sensitive during establishment and may need closer monitoring:

Newly transplanted trees and large shrubs — their root balls are large and can dry out quickly in hot weather even if surrounding soil feels moist. Always check directly around the base of the trunk.

Ornamental grasses — generally drought-tolerant once established, but need consistent moisture in the first 4–6 weeks.

Perennials and ground covers — small root systems mean they dry out faster. Check them daily during the first month.

Plants in full sun locations — sun-exposed areas dry out significantly faster than shaded spots. These may need daily watering well into Month 2.

Common Watering Mistakes to Avoid

Watering on autopilot — always check soil moisture first, even if it rained recently
Watering a little every day — shallow, frequent watering creates weak, shallow roots
Assuming wilted leaves mean the plant is dry — overwatering causes wilting too; check the soil
Ignoring drainage problems — if soil stays soggy for more than 24 hours after watering, something is wrong with drainage, not the plant's thirst
Forgetting to adjust for weather — a stretch of cloudy, cool days means your plants need far less water than during a heat wave

Signs Your Watering Routine Is Working

New leaf or stem growth appearing within the first few weeks
Leaves that stay green and healthy-looking without yellowing at the edges
Soil that returns to dry-but-not-bone-dry within 2–3 days of watering
No signs of fungal spots, root rot, or standing water

When to Reach Out to Us

Contact Cassella Design & Build if you notice any of the following:

Persistent wilting across an entire plant even after proper watering
Yellowing or browning that spreads to multiple plants
Soil that won't drain and stays saturated for days
A plant that seems to dry out within hours of deep watering
Any unusual spots, growth, or die-back you're unsure about

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