Combating the heat and dry conditions
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 8:40AM ‘My grass looks bad, my shrubs are crunchy, my tomatoes won’t set, and the leaves on my trees are dropping!!! HELP! What do I need to do?’
The answer is ... PRAY FOR RAIN! This heat will end at some point; in the mean time, here are our recommendations to make your landscape healthier.
The obvious is to water but there is a science to watering.
What is your method of watering? Sprinkler system, water hose, dog or drip? Lawns always perform better under a regulated sprinkler system; however, shrubs and trees need more water. If your woody plants are not under drip, it very beneficial to lay a water hose at the base, turn it on slowly and let it run several hours. A good slow soak will penetrate down deep to the lower root structure. Allow the top several inches of soil to dry out before the next watering.
Several products that will aid your plants are, SUPERthrive© which is a vitamin/hormone product that will reduce stress, and Miracid© which will help unlock tied up nutrients in the soil profile, releasing them for plant uptake.
Another crucial element to add is mulch! Mulch is icing on the cake. I’m not sure it is possible to over-water with all the 100+ degree days, but be aware the over-watering and under-watering will result in wilting leaves.
Until we meet again, this is Vronka, Tom’s resident horticulturist.
dry season, heat, mulch, watering
Reader Comments (1)
What about dep root watering for your trees? Is there a specific waterer you recommend? On what schedule should I deep root water?
Thank you
JH