BrooksideGarden Care

The watering almanac for our yard. Every plant, every second it needs, in one place.

Middle Tennessee Zone 7
Where we are

Week 1 — Everything, every morning

Day 1 of establishment

The plants

Watering times

Times are per plant with the shower spray aimed at the root ball, not the leaves. Tap Start to run a countdown while you hold the hose. If water starts running across the mulch, pause and let it soak in.

13 sec= ½ gallon 26 sec= 1 gallon 2.3 galper minute Our hose, on shower setting. Every time below comes from this calibration.
The year ahead

Four seasons, every plant

The whole cast, season by season — tap any panel for a closer look.

Every plant in the garden shown in its spring form

SpringMar – May

Wisteria leads with purple cascades. Fresh foliage everywhere; cut back bluebeard and muhly grass early, prune hydrangeas before they wake.

Every plant in the garden shown in its summer form

SummerJun – Aug

Peak show — white crape myrtle over near-black leaves, hydrangea cones, blue butterfly bush spikes, roses repeating. Watch water closely in heat.

Every plant in the garden shown in its fall form

FallSep – Nov

Clematis smothers the fence in fragrant white stars, muhly grass throws up white clouds, hydrangeas blush pink-red, bluebeard keeps the bees fed.

Every plant in the garden shown in its winter form

WinterDec – Feb

Boxwood and abelia hold the structure. Leave the grasses and hydrangea heads standing for texture, then cut back in late winter.

How we water

The establishment plan

New and moved plants live off their original nursery root ball until roots spread. The goal is a moist root ball — never a swamp. Soil and rain always override the calendar.

Test by hand

Push a finger through the mulch, 2–3 inches into the root ball. Cool and moist — skip it. Dry or barely damp — give the half dose. Soggy — let it drain.

Rain rule

A real soaking rain replaces a watering. A quick shower only wets the mulch — check the root ball before you trust it.

Aim low

Nearly all the water goes at the base, moving the spray slowly around the root-ball zone. Leaves don't need a bath — a little morning splash is fine.

Afternoon wilt ≠ thirst

New plants can wilt in late-day heat even with moist soil. Check the root ball before adding water.

Mulch & feeding

Keep mulch 2–3 inches deep and pulled back from trunks and stems.

Don't fertilize stressed new transplants — let roots establish first.

The magnolia

The established magnolia skips all of this. In a long hot, dry stretch, give it one slow deep soak at the drip line instead of frequent sips.

The yard

№ 250

Front of the house — white painted brick ranch with black trim, two big shade trees in the lawn
Front — the two established trees
Right side garden bed by the entry with hydrangea, boxwood, and bluebeard in black mulch
Right side garden — entry bed
Left side of the backyard with crape myrtle by the fence and muhly grass near the AC unit
Left yard — fence line & grasses