DEEP ROOT WATERING

Deep root watering refers to an irrigation technique that delivers water directly to a plant’s roots. Plants benefit from better absorption and less compact soil, which encourages improved growth, better oxygen flow, and drought resistance. Trees prefer less frequent but deeper soakings — a heavy soaking once a week is much better than a shallow watering every few days. That’s because shallow waterings encourage tree roots to remain near the soil surface where they’re prone to drying out. 

Generally, deep watering means that the soil is saturated to about an 8-inch depth. Healthy plants usually grow their roots down deep. In fact, some plants grow roots that are nearly two feet long for optimal nutrient and moisture uptake. There are only a few plants, such as cacti, that have shallow root systems.

You should always make sure to water the critical root zone, as illustrated above. Here are a few ways that you can accomplish this supplemental watering.

1. Water bladder around tree. 
2. Deep root water probe.
3. Circular soaker hose. 
4. Water well around tree.

Of course the easiest way is to give us a call! If you want to avoid dragging hoses or digging water wells and you think your trees would benefit from a deep root water, our Plant Health Care team would be happy to do it for you!