Be Inspired Blog - Arizona
Keep Your Plants Healthy All Summer Long
Why Hand Watering Isn’t Enough—And What Proper Watering Looks Like in the Valley of the Sun
🌵 Why Hand Watering Doesn’t Work in the Desert
In the Valley of the Sun, temperatures regularly soar above 100°F for weeks or even months. In this climate, quick sprays with a hose aren’t just ineffective—they can actually harm your plants by encouraging shallow root systems and water stress.
Hand Watering:
- Evaporates quickly
- Fails to reach root zones
- Wastes water
- Is difficult to do consistently or deeply
If you’re relying on a hose, and your memory or availability—you’re setting your plants (and yourself) up for a rough summer.
💧 What Proper Watering Really Looks Like in the Valley of the Sun
Proper watering = deep, consistent, and targeted.
The goal is to deliver water to the entire root zone, which in desert soils should be about 18–24 inches deep for trees and shrubs. That requires slow, steady watering—not a quick surface soak.
✅ Why Drip Irrigation Is the Gold Standard
Drip systems are:
- Water-efficient
- Customizable by zone
- Timed for consistency
- Better for plant health and root development
Other options:
- Soaker hoses (for flower beds or veggie patches)
- In-ground bubblers or micro-sprayers (for large plants or trees)
- Self-watering pots (for container gardens)
Avoid sprinklers and hand watering for anything beyond turf or small pots.
🌳 How to Water Established Landscape & Garden Plants in the Valley of the Sun
An established plant is one that has been in the ground long enough to develop a strong, healthy root system—typically after one to two growing seasons of proper watering. These plants can access deeper moisture reserves and are more resilient to heat and drought than newly planted ones. In contrast, new plantings require more frequent, shallow watering to help roots get established before transitioning to a deep-watering routine.
For Established Plants
Watering Depth:
- Trees and shrubs: 18–24 inches deep
- Garden beds and perennials: 12–18 inches deep
- Check with a probe or long screwdriver
Run Time with Drip:
- 45–60 minutes per zone (depending on soil, emitter rate, and plant type)
Frequency by Temperature:
- Below 90°F: Every 10–14 days
- 90–104°F: Every 7–10 days
- 104°F+: Every 4–7 days
Always water early in the morning and mulch generously to reduce surface evaporation and cool the root zone.
For New Plantings
To learn more about how to help your new plants get established with the water they’ll need to grow strong and healthy roots, click the button below. Watering recommendations are provided for each season.
🌿 How to Water Container Plants in the Summer
Containers dry out faster due to sun exposure, reflected heat, and limited soil volume.
Recommended Frequency:
- Below 90°F: Every 2–3 days
- 90–104°F: Daily
- 104°F+: Twice daily (early morning + late afternoon)
Tips for Healthy Container Plants:
- Use drip lines or self-watering containers
- Choose larger pots in light or insulated materials
- Apply mulch in containers to reduce surface drying
- Relocate pots to afternoon shade, group for shelter, or install shade cloth to protect from the hot afternoon sun
- Check soil moisture often—especially during and after heatwaves
To learn more about the misconceptions of watering container plants, check out our blog.
✈️ Special Tips for Summer Travelers
If you’ll be out of town—even for just a week or two—don’t leave your plants unprotected. Arizona heat doesn’t take a vacation.
Before You Leave:
- ✅ Inspect your irrigation system thoroughly
- ✅ Check for clogs, leaks, and broken emitters
- ✅ Set your timer with appropriate summer cycles
- ✅ Mulch all planted areas
- ✅ Connect containers to drip irrigation or use self-watering pots
- ✅ Group containers in shady areas
- ✅ Ask a friend or neighbor to check on/water your pots
- ✅ Sign up for local watering tips via text from Water – Use It Wisely
🌞 The Bottom Line: Water Smart, Water Deep
Whether you stay in town all summer or escape the heat, your plants can’t escape the sun. Hand watering doesn’t deliver the depth, consistency, or efficiency they need.
Investing a little time now in your irrigation setup will pay off with:
- Lower water bills
- Less plant stress
- Healthier roots
- A thriving landscape all summer long
