watering transplanted perennials

by Renee
(Springboro, OH)

How much do I need to water transplanted perennials, if done at the end of September?

Doug says that all transplants have to be heavily watered when transplanted - no matter what time of year. "Heavily" depends on the soil type and the individual plant but generally speaking - a daily watering is excellent in well-drained soils for the first week or two. Then back off to once every three or four days - then weekly for a week or two and then water only with rest of garden (i.e. ignore to harden off).

In clay soils or soils that hold moisture - then it becomes a "touch" kind of thing. If the ground is damp (after that initial few soakings) then you don't water as you don't want it to sit in a bathtub of water.

But the critical thing is to really soak it when transplanting the first time and then a few times right after that. If the ground holds moisture - back off - if it doesn't hold moisture, make sure it stays damp for a month.

Hope that helps a bit.