First off, I have 2 main views about watering plants: 1. Deep infrequent soakings promotes deep root growth. When you water plants deep the roots grow deep. Conversely if you water a little everyday the roots will become trained to grow close to the surface and dry out during times of drought. We want to “teach” our plants to be self sustaining. 2. Chose the right plant for the right location. Drought resistant plants for dry places and plants that like to be soggy for wet areas.
HOW to WATER
-With small plants you can use a wand or shower hose attachment. For medium to large plants I recommend using a soaker hose. They are very easy to use and you can even set up an automatic timer at the facuet if desired. 
- Water and repeat: If you have 3 plants in a row, water plant 1,2 and 3 in that order. Allow the water time to soak into the ground and then water in the same order 1,2 and 3. We want to achieve super saturation: when the ground can not soak up any more water.
- Soak the ground at the root mass and around the root mass to encourage deep root growth
WHY to WATER:
- New plants need our help. We take them from nurseries in the back of trucks to our back and front yards. During the journey they are dried out from many stresses like wind, surface temperature and heat. Then we take the, out of their containers open the root masses up to let them know it is time to start growing. They rely on the new water we give them because they do not have any left in storage after their “stressful” journey. There are certain things we need to do to ensure planting success, one of the biggest if to water immediately after planting.
WHEN to WATER:
-Routinely as needed the best time to water is in the early morning hours during sunrise. Doing so will reduce evaporation and increase absorption by the roots allowing no competition from the hot sun. Watering in the evening hours can create problems for some plants.
- Water during/immediatly after new planting to help prevent transplant shock, (Good Landscapers/nurseries will have the plants watered prior to delivery to help prevent transpiration/water loss)
- For most plants water when rainfall has not reached 1″ a week, more frequent if newly planted
