With spring in full bloom, it’s time to make sure there are plans to water plants, vegetables, trees and shrubs. Watering once a week is not always the right strategy.
Indoor Plant Guide for Beginners
These indoor plants are perfect for beginners.
The problem has been resolved, USA Today
One way to develop greener thumbs: know when to water plants.
A general rule for watering plants or watering your lawn or garden is to water them once a week. However, if you dig into that rule a little deeper, flowers and other plants will thrive.
“The best advice actually is to check to water every 7-10 days, and check the water if necessary,” said Aaron Steele, a consumer horticulture expansion specialist at Iowa State University. “If we do that, we’re not accidentally pouring water on it. At the same time, of course, that happens too.”
And if you want to find out for yourself whether the plant needs water or not, Steil pointed out a useful DIY trick.
Assuming you’re already planting in spring, it’s time to take care of your flowers, plants and lawn. Here’s what you need to know.
How to determine if it’s time to water your plants: Experts offer simple tricks
There are no difficult and fast rules when watering plants when they are watering because differences in weather and soil types can be at play. The best way to know if your plants need to water is to get your hands dirty.
You can use your hands, trowels or shovels to dig into the dirt around plants and trees.
“Usually, things are fine if you can feel the moisture a little or two below,” Steil told USA Today. “If you feel it’s really dry, that’s when you start watering.”
When, where, and how long should I put water?
More tips from Steil and Iowa State University Extension:
- Morning Dew: Watering is best early in the day, so if the plants and leaves dry directly, the plants and leaves will dry out and water them well in the heat of the day. Occasionally, you have to break that rule. Because Steele said, “Let’s be real, we all have work and commitment, so sometimes we don’t get to that until the evening.” Watering later that day he said “it’s better than not at all.”
- Smart Water: Do not water plants or trees directly. Apply water to the area around the plant where rainwater drips from the plant. That’s where the roots spread to get water and nutrients. (Make sure to use newly planted trees or shrubs to water the root bulbs and root zones.) Watering the leaves can also lead to illness. Ideally, use a watering cane with a breaker. You can gently shower plants and stop the flow of water as you move between plants and containers.
- please take it easy: Slowly and slowly fill your garden or plant with water, allowing moisture to sink 5-6 inches into the soil. If you are watering plants in a truly dry garden, water the root zones of each plant and return after 15-30 minutes to water again.
Gardening tips for watering vegetables and plants in containers, lawns, etc.
In general, young or newly planted plants require more attention and watering than established ones. He said he would like to continue to be part of the landscape in the future, adding, “The first few years are really important when it comes to watering.”
Here are some of his more specific watering tips:
- Perennial plant. Your established perennial garden should only be watered during dry periods. (Don’t forget to check the soil.) New plants need to be watered more frequently (can be marked with golf tees or labels).
- tree. Established trees require little walks except for extended drying periods. However, after planting new ones, you should regularly water the trees and shrubs. First every few days, every 7-10 days.
- Plants in the container. If you are outside, these require more frequent watering as the soil can dry out. Once the soil is dry, check the container and water every day. You may need to water daily by midsummer. The basket requires water every day or frequently if you are in the sun.
- Vegetable garden. Approximately an inch of water, including rainfall, is usually sufficient for the vegetable garden. If you’re in a raised bed with vegetables, you’ll want to look more closely when the bed dries faster than the soil.
- lawn. Most lawns in Iowa need about 1 to 1½ inches of water each week, Steil says. Check with your state expansion services for local and local guidance. Place two or three rain gauges in the sprinkler path to track how much water your lawn is getting. If you use a sprinkler, make sure the water pattern is close to the ground. This way, make sure you don’t lose any moisture. Steil categorizes several sprinklers and irrigation options on the Iowa expansion website.
What are the trends in gardening increasing?
As homeowners evaluated their lawns and gardens, they began to look at more natural alternatives that required less care. So, if you’re considering a makeover, there are a few options to consider.
Requests for low-water and drought-resistant outdoor spaces have increased by 30%, according to a 2025 trend report from online landscape design company Jalzen. The survey data includes approximately 50,000 yards of clients and over 1 million additional customer leads.
There is growing interest in alternatives to wild, incomplete lawns, including tapestry lawns. This consists of low-growth, colorful plants that require little or no mowing (an increase of 16%), and a tremendous pasture of native grasses (an increase of 12%).
Tapestry lawns “can handle grass-free conditions,” London planting designer Stephanie Tara Derby posted on Instagram.
Many native plants, grasses and perennials do not require that much TLC.
“Traditional grass lawns are water and maintenance intensive,” Kevin Lenhardt, design director at Jalzen, said in a statement. “This year, we aim to make more clients choose alternatives such as non-moon-active glasses and tapestry lawns made from clover, thyme and sedum. These are environmentally soft, better for pollinators and easier to care for.”
Mike Snyder is a reporter for the trending team at USA Today. You can follow him in the thread, send BlueSky, X with X and send him an email Bliss & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider &msnider@usatoday.com
What are you guys talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
