The guidelines presented here are for native and desert adapted plants. High water use plants will require more frequent and/or longer irrigations. Follow these watering guidelines until your plants are established - approximately one year for shrubs and three years for trees. Watch your plants closely for signs of stress, especially during extremely hot temperatures.


After the eighth week, check the position of each water distribution end point (drip emitter or micro tubing). Move the end points closer to the outer edge of the root ball. After the first summer, there is rarely a need to irrigate low water use trees and shrubs more than once a week.

Even though these guidelines are appropriate for most landscapes, new plants in your yard may need water more or less frequently. As a rule of thumb, each irrigation should wet the root ball and one to two inches of surrounding soil.