Watering & Aftercare

The first growing season decides whether a planting thrives. Most losses come from drought in the first few weeks and from weeds that shade or crowd out young plants, and both are easy to prevent with steady attention.

Watering

For the first two to three weeks after planting, keep the root zone consistently moist, checking every few days and more often in hot, dry or windy weather. After that, aim for about an inch of water a week, counting rainfall, through the first growing season.

Water deeply and less often rather than a little every day. Deep watering encourages roots to grow down into the soil, which makes plants more drought-tolerant later. Check before you water by pushing a finger or trowel a couple of inches into the soil: if it’s damp, wait.

Container shrubs and trees need more water per plant and for longer, usually through their first two summers. Plugs in a well-prepared site often need little extra water by their second year.

Weeding

Keep weeds from shading or crowding young plants, especially in the first season. Unlike a seeding, a plug planting can be hand-weeded safely, since the plants are already rooted and easy to recognize. In larger plantings, mowing or string-trimming between rows keeps competition down. See Common Meadow Weeds for the species to watch for.

Skip the fertilizer

Native plants are adapted to local soils and rarely need fertilizer. Added nitrogen mostly feeds weeds and can make plants grow soft and floppy.

Through the seasons

• First fall: leave the stems standing through winter. They shelter overwintering insects, and seed heads feed birds.
• Late winter: cut back the previous year’s growth of perennials and grasses before new growth starts.
• Second spring: walk the planting, note any losses and replace them while there’s still room for new plants to establish.