Knowledgebase
Newly planted Perfect Purple Crabapple watering requirements #868124
Asked May 12, 2024, 9:28 PM EDT
Last week (May), a landscaping service planted a 3.5 inch caliper Perfect Purple crabapple in my predominently clay soil in Highland Ranch. How much watering does it need per week to thrive? It was recommended to give it 40 Gallons of water every other day? Since clay soil doesn't drain very well -- would that be too much water and contribute to root rot?
Douglas County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Nadia,
The same CSFS recommendation of 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter per week as a starting point will work--35 gallons a week or so. However, remember that you need to check the conditions in the root ball itself and adjust. The tree may need more water than that, particularly once it really warms up. Before it has roots outside the root ball, your apple tree is trying to support a lot of branches with limited ability to take up water, so you definitely don't want to let it dry out. Check the root ball with your finger, if the top inch is dry, water!
Cordially,
John
