How Often Should I Water?
Most natives do poorly in waterlogged conditions, so water when the soil is dry and the plants are wilting. Once established, a good soaking twice a week should suffice. Deep soaking encourages the development of stronger and deeper root systems. This is better than frequent and shallow watering, which encourage weaker and more shallow root systems.

After plants are established (a month or two for most plants, up to a year for some trees), you can back off watering.

Will the Environment Make a Difference?
Red clay soils hold more water for a longer period of time than sandy soils do. If your area is very sunny or near a beach, the ground will dry out faster. Even within a single garden, there are parts that will need more or less water. Soils can vary and amount of shade and wind differ.

Should I Use Sprinkler Systems or Hand-Water?
Automatic sprinkler systems are expensive to install and must be checked and adjusted regularly.

Above-ground systems allow you to monitor how much water is being used, but is often inefficient because of malfunctioning sprinkler heads and wind.

Hand-watering is by far the most efficient way to save water and make sure your plants get the right amount they need.