Watering Guide

Client View • March 13, 2026

Understanding Water Needs



This watering guide begins with understanding that different plants have different water needs, and these needs change throughout the year. Lawns typically need about one inch of water per week during active growth periods, but this can vary based on weather conditions, soil type, and grass species.


Following this watering guide means observing your plants and adjusting watering based on their actual needs rather than following a rigid schedule. Signs that plants need water include wilting, color changes, or soil that feels dry to the touch.


When to Water

This watering guide recommends early morning as the best time for watering. Morning watering allows water to be absorbed before heat and wind cause excessive evaporation, and it gives plant leaves time to dry before evening, which can help prevent disease problems.


Following this watering guide's timing recommendations helps maximize water efficiency while supporting plant health. Avoiding midday watering prevents water loss to evaporation, and careful evening watering can work if leaves have time to dry before nightfall.


How Much to Water

This watering guide recommends deep, infrequent watering rather than shallow, frequent applications. For lawns, this typically means providing about one inch of water per application, which encourages deep root growth that helps plants access water during dry periods.


To measure water application when following this watering guide, you can place a container such as a tuna can on your lawn while watering. When the container has collected about one inch of water, you have applied an appropriate amount according to this watering guide.


Watering Frequency

This watering guide suggests that watering frequency depends on soil type, weather conditions, and plant needs. Clay soils may need less frequent but longer watering sessions, while sandy soils may require more frequent applications to maintain adequate moisture.


During hot, dry weather, this watering guide may recommend increasing frequency while maintaining deep watering practices. During cool, wet periods, this watering guide suggests reducing or eliminating supplemental watering.


Watering New Plantings

This watering guide includes special considerations for new plantings, which typically need more frequent watering during establishment. New lawns, trees, shrubs, and perennials require careful attention to watering during their first growing season.


Following this watering guide for new plantings involves providing consistent moisture without overwatering, which can be as harmful as underwatering. This watering guide recommends monitoring new plantings closely and adjusting watering based on their response.


Watering Established Landscapes

For established landscapes, this watering guide emphasizes deep, infrequent watering that encourages plants to develop extensive root systems. Well-established plants with deep roots can access water from deeper in the soil profile, making them more resilient during dry periods.


This watering guide recognizes that established landscapes may need less frequent watering than new plantings, but the quality of each watering session remains important for maintaining plant health.


Water Conservation in This Watering Guide

This watering guide includes water conservation practices such as using mulch to reduce evaporation, selecting drought-tolerant plants, and improving soil health to increase water retention. These practices help you follow this watering guide while using water efficiently.


Following this watering guide's conservation recommendations can help you maintain healthy landscapes while reducing water use, which is particularly valuable during dry periods or in areas with water restrictions. Source


By Client View April 27, 2026
Everything You Need to Know to Create the Look 
By Client View April 25, 2026
Grass roots need air, water and nutrients to grow thick, deep and strong. When soil becomes compacted, even slightly, it inhibit the flow of the essentials that support thicker, healthier turf growth. A layer of compacted soil just 1/4 to 1/2 inches thick can make a significant difference in the health and beauty of your lawn.1 Aeration creates holes down into the soil to alleviate compaction so air, water and nutrients can reach grass roots. Deprived of their basic needs by compacted soil, lawn grasses struggle in stressful situations, such as heat and low rainfall, and lose their healthy, rich color. Grasses gradually thin and eventually die out completely, for lack of the oxygen, water and nutrients available just inches away. Even a single aeration session can open the avenue for these essentials to reach their mark and put your lawn back on an upward trend. Source
By Client View April 22, 2026
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to front-yard landscaping. Some people prefer nothing but a bare lawn. Others grow vegetables in raised beds. Still others turn their front yards into meadows of wildflowers (though some homeowners' associations forbid that). But there are certain landscaping features that are universally bad for the front yard, no matter where you live. Keep your neighbors happy by avoiding these front-yard faux pas that are definitely eyesores. 1.) An Overgrown Jungle No matter your landscaping preferences, an overgrown jungle is always an eyesore. We're talking chest-high weeds, vines growing through your trees, and an ominous, shadowy landscape that has the neighbors nervously looking over their shoulders. Now is the time to hack back the jungle and reassert some order in your yard. A space that looks intentional is a lot less likely to rile up the neighborhood. 2.) Dead Trees And Shrubs You can't always get the tree service out right away, but you shouldn't leave dead trees and shrubs in the front yard indefinitely. They don't just look ugly; they can cause problems. A large tree could fall and damage a house or fence. Dead landscaping can be a fire hazard if it's near your home. And finally, a tree with serious diseases or pests that might infect the rest of the neighborhood should be removed as soon as possible. 3.) Weedy Driveways Concrete and gravel can become an eyesore once weeds grow through the cracks and take over. This is an ongoing problem with hardscaping, but you can often keep weeds in check by repairing broken concrete or filling seams. An organic weed killer can be handy in areas where weeds repeatedly poke through. 4.) Plastic Plants We understand: Not all of us have a green thumb or the time and energy to fuss over flowers. But fake plants can become a real eyesore. Many aren't very attractive to start with, and they will fade and turn moldy over time. Look for maintenance-free grasses or shrubs to plant in your yard instead. 5.) Rubber Mulch Rubber mulch appeals to some people because it provides a cushion and doesn't really break down. While some of us don't mind the look of shredded rubber, we're putting this one in the eyesore category anyway. Rubber mulch may leach toxic chemicals into the soil and make your yard smell like hot tires. If you want a mulch that won't decompose, use gravel instead. 6.) Trash Cans And A/C Units If your trash cans or utilities are within view of the street, do your neighbors a favor and find a way to hide them. One small trellis or fence panel often does the trick. You can also plant evergreen shrubs as a screen for A/C units and utility boxes. This can double as a good way to hide garden hoses and wheelbarrows. Source
By Client View April 16, 2026
Should You Put Rocks at the Bottom of a Planter?
By Client View April 16, 2026
What Is Sod Used For?
By Client View April 13, 2026
When to Mulch
By Client View April 10, 2026
Commercial Garden Bed Maintenance Services 
By Client View April 6, 2026
We hope you had a safe and blessed holiday! Happy Easter from us at DOV Landscaping! (707) 758-9428 Admin@dovlandscaping.com
By Client View April 4, 2026
Expert Plant Install Services 
By Client View March 31, 2026
Lawn Pros Share 5 Ways to Keep Birds From Eating the Seed
Show More