With the warmer weather comes the need to   water gardens, lawns, and landscapes. How much water depends on the type of plant, your gardening preferences, and how established the plant is.

Most newly planted plants will need regular water until they are established. This is certainly the case for vegetables, and many annuals and perennials.

Lawns, on the other hand, need regular water to be lush and green, but can go partially or fully dormant for the summer if less water is applied. How green to go is up to the individual.

There are also many plants - native and climate adapted - that thrive in the Pacific Northwest, and require little to no supplemental water once established. The length of time that these plants take to become established varies widely - some will need regular water for the first season, while others will need very little water from the get go.

Get a sense of the diversity of water efficient plants with our plant guide, then consult with staff at local garden centers to find out more about which water efficient plants to include in your garden.

Let us help you take the guesswork out of watering. Sign up to receive the Weekly Watering Number via email each week.