When you’ve just invested in new landscaping, you want to give your plants the best possible start.
That first season is critical, and watering is the single most important part of it. It’s the time to help your new plants establish strong, healthy roots. As Thom Peck, certified horticulturist and plant materials purchaser at Johnson’s Landscaping Service, explains, “Transplanting is the most stressful thing that will ever happen to a plant in its lifetime.”
In the wild, a plant will spend its entire life in one place. Moving it (even with the utmost care) causes stress that takes time and proper attention to overcome.
The Importance of Watering
Watering correctly is what determines whether new plants thrive or struggle. Early on, the goal is to keep the soil consistently moist so the roots can recover from transplant shock and begin spreading into the surrounding soil.
As the plant starts to take hold, watering should shift: increase the duration but decrease the frequency. This encourages the roots to grow deeper in search of water rather than staying near the surface, where the soil dries out more quickly.
A common misconception is that gravity naturally pulls water deep into the ground. In reality, water tends to stay near the surface unless more water is applied on top to push it downward. Deep watering ensures that moisture reaches the lower soil layers, where it remains available longer, promoting stronger, more drought-resistant plants.
Understanding the Types of Transplant Procedures
At Johnson’s Landscaping Service, most new plantings fall into one of two categories: balled and burlapped or container-grown.
Balled-and-burlapped plants (often called “B&B”) are field-grown trees and shrubs that have been dug up with a ball of their native soil still attached, wrapped in burlap. These plants are trimmed and prepared for transplant well before installation.
Thom explains that “the root is a highway for nutrients, but the only part that interacts with the soil is the root tip.” That’s why growers trim the roots a year before moving the plant. It stimulates new root tip growth, which improves nutrient absorption once the plant is reestablished.
Container-grown plants spend their early lives in plastic pots. Over time, their roots grow until they reach the edge of the container, then begin circling the inside. The more the roots circle, the more “pot-bound” the plant becomes, which can actually cause it to suffocate after planting.
To prevent this, plant experts use a process called “frizzing,” trimming or loosening the root tips before planting so they can grow outward into the soil instead of continuing to spiral.
Amending the Soil
When planting, it’s essential to take advantage of the open soil to make thoughtful amendments.
Loosening compacted areas and incorporating organic material improves drainage and root growth.
However, it’s possible to overdo it. “You want to avoid adding too much in one place,” Thom notes. “If the soil near the plant is too rich, the roots will just stay put instead of reaching out into the surrounding soil.” The goal is to blend new material with the existing earth so the plant has an incentive to spread its roots naturally.
Helping Plants Establish for the Long Term
In the first few weeks after installation, watering should be steady and gentle, enough to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. As the plants settle, gradually transition them to deeper, less frequent watering. This signals to the plant that it needs to send roots downward to access water reserves. Over time, that root depth will make the plant more self-sufficient and better able to withstand dry spells.
New plants represent an investment in your landscape’s future. With consistent watering, well-amended soil, and a little patience, your landscape will reward you with years of beauty and growth.
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