Water stress – the result of too much or too little water – is one of the leading causes of plant loss. Often it is the lack of consistency that contributes to plant stress and susceptibility to disease.

Far too often, installers and property owners will initially provide adequate water to new plantings, but after a few weeks assume that nature will take over. Giving all of your plantings a deep drink just prior to freezing helps reduce winter loss, which often doesn’t show up until well into the following spring.

When the plants show signs of distress, well-meaning caretakers overcompensate for the lack of attention and drown the root systems of trees and shrubs.

Even when there have been heavy rains, not all of the moisture percolates into the soil. Some heavy clay soils will absorb less than one-half inch per hour, so a rainfall of one or two inches in a half hour doesn’t benefit your plants to the extent you might believe.

Trees, shrubs and evergreens all need a healthy supply of soil moisture. Drought stress only increases winter damage and plant loss.