'Water by the Numbers' is your guide to watering established landscaping

Q: What exactly is the 1-2-3 watering plan that I overheard part of a conversation about? — M.N., Albuquerque

A: I think you only heard part of the conversation. There is a watering plant that is recommended by the city called “Water by the Numbers,” the 1-2-3-2-1 plan.

It is a thoughtful way to remember how often to water your established landscaping. Here’s how it works.

Starting in March, the plan recommends watering once a week. In April and May, you bounce up to watering twice a week. In June, July and August you aim to water three times a week. Come September through October, you’ll ramp down to a twice a week watering. In November, ramp down again to once a week watering. See, 1-2-3-2-1.

Notice this plan doesn’t include the months of December, January and February. You should be watering your established landscaping during those months also and every ten days to two weeks and that just might be sufficient. Now, if it’s really dry for the months of December, January and February, by all means get out there and make sure your landscaping is watered. Just remember to disconnect the hose from the spigot when you have completed the chore so when it gets cold (and it will freeze) the spigot isn’t damaged.

On that note, see that I’m saying established landscaping. That means your trees, shrubs, roses, lawns and perennial beds. But I do need for you to understand that if you are planting any new trees, etc., these watering rules do not apply. I can go into watering newly planted creatures later if need be.

So, now that we’re into May, the plan suggests twice a week water. Yes, your veggie gardens, decorative patio pots and such will require water more often, but the 1-2-3-2-1 plan was created to keep everyone more mindful about watering. I hope this helps you get a plan to help keep your established landscape plantings healthy and happy.

Q: Mom wants to plant a rose bush. Being Mother’s Day, I figured today’s the day. Is now the time to plant a new rose bush in mom’s yard? Where should we look for the perfect one? — G.R., Albuquerque

A: I can remember the day when, working with the now defunct Rowland Nursery, opening the Rose House was a huge event. And if memory serves, it was usually done on Mother’s Day. So your timing is perfect!

I will suggest that you aim to take mom to one of the larger nurseries we have here in town — Osuna or Jericho — and have mom search out the perfect rose bush. You will also be able to find offerings at the big box stores, and even the warehouse stores will have a selection. There are also several smaller nurseries that will have healthy roses that are just waiting to be picked by mom and you.

I do want to remind you to guide mom, sort of. Remember that roses that have pale and light colored blooms suffer more with sunburn than roses with darker colored blooms. If a light-colored bloomer is what is wanted, consider planting it where it would get a bit of canopy shade, near a tree that will offer some relief during the heat of day. That said, I do need to remind you that roses perform best if offered at least 6-to-8 hours of sunlight a day. So help mom be very thoughtful on where she wants to plant the rose.

Roses are ridiculously sturdy, so don’t be worried about the logistics, so to speak. You will want to invest in some finely milled compost to help invigorate the soil, and certainly do not forget the root stimulator liquid to encourage the newly planted Mother’s Day rose a great leg up. Most of all, spend the time you have with your mom poking about, searching for that perfect rose bush. It’ll be a memory that will last as long as the rose bush itself.

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.