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Watering 101
According to the 2010 Farmers Almanac a warm dry April/May and a cool dry summer is expected. As my dad always says "we live in an area of averages", so with above average moisture levels for 2009, it isn't surprising that we are due for a dry 2010. Since spring has been unnaturally warm, windy and dry, this newsletter will provide tips for watering, as mother nature is undependable and automatic systems are not maintenance free. With proper watering, your plants will be healthier and less likely to attract disease and pests.
How much should I water?
Did you know that improper watering is the No. 1 killer of most plants?
Usually when plants need water, they will show you. Look at their leaves, are they wilting? Wilted leaves do not, however, always indicate a moisture issue. The most accurate practice is inserting a finger in the soil. If the soil clumps and stays in a ball, the soil is moist. If the soil is dry, it crumbles. Some homeowners prefer to invest in water meters that read: Dry / Normal / Wet. Trees, shrubs and ground covers each have specific moisture requirements and 1 inch of water per week for lawns is generally recommended. The bigger the plant, the more water it needs. Try watering an area, move forward to a new area nearby, then backtrack and water the first area again. This allows for water absorption. Irrigate all plants infrequently and deeply. Irrigation is most important the first year when installing planting beds. For existing landscapes, thorough watering should get you through the week in drought conditions. For additional information, please visit www.lawninstitute.com
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Watering with an Automatic Irrigation System - Each
zone should be adjusted separately for different cultural conditions
(north side needs less water than the south or west side) and when the
weather fluctuates
Install a rain guage and be sure it is set to the ON position, not bypass. Get a plan of the system, know the zones, and manipulate (turning the system on/off manually) the system, if necessary When our area receives its normal rainfall, an irrigation system doesn't need to be turned on, in most cases, until July
If
you have specific questions regarding your irrigation system, Mark
Jacob of Mid-Atlantic Water Services, 410-573-1020 is happy to be of
assistance.
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Watering Manually- Keep hoses close to the desired watering areas
- Purchase hoses in 25 ft lengths and connect them as necessary
- If some plants are in a far away place, leave a hose or two with those plants and at the spigot
- Coil hoses when done so uncoiling is easy, going in the direction you desire
- Use the heavy duty impulse or pulsating variety sprinklers which generate a high volume of water each minute instead of "oscillating" sprinklers
- Try soaker hoses with sod staples to "attach" and keep under the mulch
- Timers are a good investment, so you can multitask or schedule watering while on vacation.
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Additional Water vs. Less Water
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Sun vs. shade
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Sloped area vs. flat
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Sandy soils vs. clay soils
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Windy vs. calm days
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Groundcovers vs. sparsely planted beds
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Many large shade trees in a bed vs. a perennial border
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Transplanted plants and newly planted materials vs. existing plantings
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Warmer temperatures vs. cooler temperatures
- Evergreens vs. deciduous plants
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