A DRY MARTINI

No doubt you have noticed an increasing number of lawns that have changed from lush green turf into a rather unsightly brown.  This is a problem, not only for your lawn, but also for all other landscape plants. 

In a normal summer, we have come to expect a few "Dog Days" in late July and August.  However, not much has been normal about 2012, and the drought conditions we are experiencing right now are rather severe.

What can you do?  Simple, water your lawn once each week, whether it is green or brown.  A good thorough soaking is MUCH BETTER that several light sprinklings.  This weekly watering will not likely be enough to return your lawn to a lush carpet of green, but it will be sufficient to keep those grass plants alive. 

What about your trees and shrubs?  They need watering, just like your lawn.  Established plants, those you planted over 2 years ago, will most likely get by with the weekly deep, thorough soaking.  However, newly planted trees, shrubs and evergreens (those you planted last year or this year) have not yet developed a root system capable of sustaining the plant through droughty conditions, so you may need to water these plants every 3 to 5 days, especially when the outdoor temperatures are above 85. 

Wilting is the symptom of a watering problem, either over-watering or under-watering.  When you see a plant with wilted leaves, you are witnessing the death of some of the cells within the plant.  During hot, dry weather, most folks recognize the need to provide water promptly to a wilted plant.  However, evergreens rarely show wilting symptoms, but that DOES NOT mean they aren't thirsty. 

The best advice we can offer is to water your landscape plantings, ESPECIALLY NEWLY PLANTED trees, shrubs and evergreens, with a good, thorough soaking at least once every week.  Or, you might practice your "rain dance" because we could surely use some rain right now!

How to do a Raindance