Waterer for Newly Planted Shrubs

Newly planted shrubs require plenty of water to survive and to thrive. Just dumping a pail of water on the shrub will likely result in a broad, shallow wet area. A better approach is to slowly water directly over the root area. Slow release will allow the water to deeply penetrate the soil.

Materials needed are gallon sized plastic containers with wide tops and metal coat hangers. Milk jugs work but they are harder to fill because of the small fill hole.

The tools needed are:

wire cutters

pliers

a drill

1/4" drill bit

There are lots of ways to remove the tops of the plastic containers. Some are safer than others. Safely remove the tops so you leave the container as deep as possible while opening up the top for easy filling.

Determine how long the piece of the coat hanger you will need. Assume 3" for the end that hooks over the plastic container. To the height of the container, add another 6-8" that will extend into the soil. See the second photo. Use the pliers to bend the 3" section more but not completely closed. Photo #3.

Drill a 1/4" hole in the bottom of the plasic container, near the side. You may find this easier if you place the inverted container over a piece of 2" x 2" secured vertically. 4th photo.

To install the waterer, feed the straight end of the wire through the hole in the container and hook the top, the bent part, over the top rim of the container. Insert the long end of the wire into the soil near the base of newly planted shrub.

Once or twice a week fill the container with water. Continue this for several weeks. Watering frequency will depend on your rainfall. Never let your shrubs dry out. Check the soil to determine if water is needed.

If you are watering trees, use a 5 gallon bucket with a 1/4" hole in the bottom.