New sod requires more water than an established lawn because its roots need consistent moisture. For the first 7 to 10 days, new sod requires up to one hour of water daily or equal to ½ inch.

Provide enough water to soak the first few inches of soil. For the next 7-10 days, reduce watering to once per day, making sure to soak the top ¼ inch of soil.

After 2 weeks, you can reduce to every other day, soaking to a soil depth of about ½ inch. When your sod has been growing for about 4 weeks, the roots should be established enough to reduce watering to once or twice per week. If temperatures climb above 85 degrees at any point during the first four weeks, increase watering to 2 or 3 times per day to prevent drying. Water your new sod between the hours of 9:00pm and 9:00am. If necessary, watering can be done in the middle of the day between 11:00 and 2:00 to allow enough time for grass to dry out before the evening.

Upon installation, flood area with water to remove air pockets and thoroughly soak roots (1 hour). Water ½ inch per day for the next 7-10 days then allow soil to dry. You can kill your plant with kindness by overwatering. This is the most common mistake beginning gardeners make. Check the soil between waterings with a stick, or even your finger, pushing below the top layer of soil to determine how moist the soil is. Once established water deep but infrequent which helps develops deeper roots.
As plants become established, air pockets due to soil settlement may form around the roots. Make sure soil around roots of plants are firm, if soft, tamp down soil with hands or feet to reduce these air pockets.

When Greer Gardens installs new trees, we often put a water ring around the root system to direct more water to the tree. After 2 or 3 months, the water ring can be removed. Once tree is installed, place hose on tree roots and set hose to run on a slow drip for at least one hour daily (morning) for the first 7 to 10 days.

During the first couple of growing seasons, your newly planted tree is expending a lot of energy trying to get its roots established in the soil. Especially during the first few summers of your new trees life, it will have a difficult time dealing with heat and drought.

You can make this easier by providing water and covering the soil with mulch. Deep watering can help speed the root establishment.

Deep water consists of keeping the soil moist to a depth that includes all roots. You can check moisture with a garden trowel and inserting it into the ground to a depth of 2 inches, and then move the blade of the trowel back and forth to create a small narrow trench. Then use your finger to touch the soil. If it is moist to the touch then they do not need water.

At Greer Gardens, flower beds are prepped with organic matter and mounded to provide for good drainage. Extra fertilizer is recommended after 2 weeks to provide best blooms and growth (osmocote, slow release or 13-13-13).

One of the ways to care for your flowers is to control pests. Outdoor flowers are a favorite for bugs and other wildlife. Treat your flowers with extra care. Protect them from the
sun if needed. Some flowers require full sun, some prefer partial, or even full shade. Outdoor flowers are a favorite for bugs and other wildlife. Treat your flowers or build them a removable greenhouse to keep them safe and growing happily. Protect them from the sun. Supplemental watering may be needed to keep plants looking great during hot or dry times.

Weeds will take away resources from your flowers and keep them from reaching their full potential. If you weed every day or every two days that is best. Try to be proactive during the growing season by using a pre- emergent herbicide. It prevents germination of new weeds. Water to average 1 inch per week.