1.  Mulch is vital to plants for surviving the drought

There are many benefits to adding mulch to your landscape

•  Keeps root zones cooler, moist and prevents evaporation.
• Prevents weeds which steal water and nutrients from your plants
• Properly mulched planting beds hold water longer.

2.  Prune your trees

The best time to prune oaks has always been the driest times of the year and it does not get much drier than this.  The beetle that transmits oak wilt is inactive at this time.

3.  Drip, Drip, Drip

Drip Irrigation is the best way to water your planting beds as it is much more efficient than traditional irrigation.  As much as 60% of the water used by traditional spray and rotor irrigation is lost to evaporation and never makes it to your thirsty plants.  Drip irrigation, however, is a much more effective delivery system that puts water directly onto the root zones of the plants.  When the drip tubing is properly covered with mulch, almost none of the water is lost to evaporation.

4.  Program your irrigation system

In order to optimize your ability to water your landscape and follow the watering restrictions, it is important to review your programming for your irrigation system.  Resetting your controller so you are using your drip irrigation on all the allowable days and watering your turf on the correct day of the week will keep your landscape in good shape and keep you in compliance and avoid citations with the watering authorities

5.  Cut back your perennials 

When it gets this hot out, many perennials start to really show their lack of irrigation by looking a bit leggy.  If the perennials are cut back, they will look better now and will be ready to bloom again when the rain comes.