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How to Water New Trees and Shrubs Step-By-Step in Northern Utah

“Plants need water” is common knowledge to any gardener. But knowing how to water new trees and shrubs here in Northern Utah is another skill entirely. Did you know that newly planted trees and shrubs cannot take up water effectively and need supplemental water in Northern Utah’s high desert conditions? This is due to their young root systems needing time to develop into large enough systems to properly support the water needs of the plant. This is called the “establishment phase” and can take 2-3 growing seasons before the root system is mature.

During the root establishment phase, all plants need supplemental water to properly support their health and development.  Yes, even many drought tolerant plants will still need that initial supplemental water while their roots grow. 

This is why knowing how to care for new trees and shrubs and following watering instructions are essential. On this page, Glover Nursery will help you establish newly planted trees and shrubs through their first 2 growing seasons. We’ll also share pro tips to ensure they absorb water thoroughly, without creating a situation where the roots are held in standing water, which leads to root rot and will kill the plant.

If you have any questions about the watering instructions provided here, we encourage you to reach out through the Plant Diagnosis / Warranty Inquiry page. The Glover Nursery Diagnostic Team will respond to you within a few days and provide specific guidance.

Note: All eligible plants and trees purchased from Glover Nursery must be planted and watered according to our guidelines for the 1-year and 5-year warranty to remain valid. Please refer to our Warranty Policy page for more information.

General watering guidelines.

The goal for watering is often to try and keep the root ball evenly moist. Preventing the tree getting too dry but also not letting it stay too wet is a bit of a dance which will vary depending on your soil type, the slope of your yard, and how often your neighbors accidentally water your garden for you (without knowing it is happening).

Two factors to consider when figuring out your plants’ watering needs.

1. How deep do you need to water?
2. How often do you need to water?

The answer to the two questions can change based on if you have a new or established tree or shrub, your soil condition, and seasonal weather conditions.

Generally it is better to do a deep soak less frequently than it is to do a shallow soak regularly.

How to Water Newly Planted Trees in Northern Utah 

Follow these steps for the best way to water new trees here in the Salt Lake Valley. Keep in mind that watering needs change as your tree becomes established.

At Glover Nursery, we consider a “new tree” to be one that has been planted within the past three years.

Sprinklers alone are NOT enough for newly installed trees and shrubs. The water does from sprinklers does not penetrate deeply enough.  To help the root system develop properly, we strongly recommend hand watering during the first two growing seasons.

If you’re using drip irrigation, make sure your emitters deliver the right amount of water. Do not assume your landscaper setup the proper watering quantity and schedule. It’s up to you to check and calibrate your drip system. 

• Use the correct GPH (gallons per hour) setting to meet your plant’s needs.
• Apply about two gallons of water per inch of trunk caliper with each watering.
• For smaller container plants (such as a #5-gallon size), provide an equivalent amount of water during each irrigation.
  • Meaning: 5 gallons of water if it is a #5gal plant,
• If the drip system line is watering a range of different kind of plants, (tree, shrubs and herbaceous plants) it may be hard to calibrate the system to work for all plant specimens and hand watering will be needed to compensate.
  

Read on for detailed instructions on watering new trees during their first three months and through their second growing season to ensure healthy, long-lasting growth.

Watering Instructions for the First 3 Months 

During the first three months after planting, your new tree or shrub needs deep, consistent watering to establish strong roots.

To deep soak:

• Turn your hose on to a slow trickle and place it within the watering basin.
• Let it run long enough to ensure saturation of the root zone.  
• Soak time will vary depending on the size of the root ball—larger trees will need more time.
  

Water 2–3 times per week, adjusting for weather and temperature. In cooler months, 2 irrigations per week should be enough.  In hotter months, you should add another irrigation to you watering schedule. If you have sandy soils you may need to water more often as it will drain faster and the soil will dry faster.   We recommend getting a soil meter to check the moisture level between irrigations to help you determine how quickly water is draining. 

Do not water every day. Daily watering can create standing water around the roots, leading to root rot and potentially killing the plant. Instead, let the soil dry slightly between waterings—this allows the roots to breathe and encourages healthy growth.

Pro Tip: Check soil moisture by digging 2–3 inches below the surface near the root zone. If the soil still feels damp, wait another day or two before watering again.

Watering After the First Three Months (1st Growing Season) 

Once your tree has passed the first three months, it’s time to adjust your watering schedule.

For the rest of the first growing season:

• Deep soak once a week to keep roots healthy and hydrated.
• When temperatures climb above 85°F, increase to two deep soakings per week.

If you’ve planted drought-tolerant varieties, they may need less frequent watering after the first month or two. However, during extreme heat, even drought-tolerant trees benefit from a thorough soak at least once a week to stay strong and establish properly.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, it’s better to water deeply less often than to water lightly every day—deep watering encourages roots to grow downward where moisture lasts longer.

Second Growing Season 

During the second growing season, your trees and shrubs will need less frequent watering as their roots continue to establish. Use these general guidelines to adjust your schedule based on temperature:

• Below 70°F: Deep soak twice per month
• 70–85°F: Deep soak once every 14 days
  Above 85°F: Deep soak once per week
  

Keep in mind that these are general recommendations. Soil type makes a big difference—plants in clay soil retain moisture longer and may need less frequent watering, while those in sandy soil may dry out faster and require more.

Watering Guidelines by Soil Type

To know for sure, we recommend using a watering meter to track how quickly your soil dries between irrigations.

Expert Gardening Tip: Overwatered stressed plants can look just like underwatered ones—both may wilt. Always check the soil before adding more water to avoid drowning your plant’s roots.

How to Care for New Trees in Winter 

Even in winter, your trees still need attention. At Glover Nursery, we consider any tree within its first three growing seasons a “new” tree, meaning its root system is still establishing and needs supplemental care year-round.

Tree Watering Instructions during Winter 

In Northern Utah, we don’t get enough rain or snow to keep roots hydrated through the cold months. That’s why monthly deep soaking from October through March is essential for new trees and shrubs. Yes, in Northern Utah it is necessary to water your trees and shrubs in the winter months. We do not get enough precipitation (rain or snow) to keep the root system properly hydrated.

Plan to give all trees and shrubs a final deep soak around Thanksgiving, then water once a month through winter. A simple way to remember is to water on or near major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Presidents Day.

Easy Winter Watering Methods: 

• 5-Gallon Bucket: Fill a bucket with a small hole drilled near the bottom and set it beside the root ball for a slow, even soak. Our bucket method is described below.
  
• Hose Method: On mild winter days, run a hose at a slow trickle over the root zone until the soil is fully saturated. Be sure to detach, drain, coil, and store the hose after use.
  
• Ice Melt Method: Pile ice over the root ball area to melt slowly, hydrating the soil as temperatures rise—especially helpful for perennials and ornamental grasses. This method ensures their root system always has enough moisture to sustain them during our dry winter months.