The long hot days of summer are
stressful to every living creature, including all your plants. If you are tired
of the endless task of keeping your plants watered, it is time to think about
adding mulch to your beds.
I know that hotter weather is just
ahead, so do yourself and your plantings a huge favor and apply mulch. If you
have beds that have never been mulched, add 3” around all annuals, perennials,
roses, trees and shrubs. Top dress previously mulched beds with an additional
inch of fresh mulch.
Not only does mulch hold in
moisture, relieving you of some of your watering tasks, it also keeps the soil
cooler, so your plants will be less heat-stressed. An added bonus is that weed
seeds have a difficult time germinating when buried in mulch, reducing the time
you spend weeding.
One of the most common questions
that we receive at this time of year is, “How much do I water my ______?” I
will try to explain some basic guidelines here:
Vegetables and Bedding Plants
planted in the ground: established plants need at least one inch of water per
week, more when bearing fruit. Check the soil around the plants, when it is dry
one inch down, it’s time to water.
Container Gardens and Hanging
Baskets: check your containers every day for water. Either test the soil by
touch or lift the pot to check its weight. Most baskets and many containers
will need to be watered once, or even twice a day, depending on the weather. I
suggest you fertilize once a week.
Perennials: newly planted
perennials need daily watering until established, at least one to two weeks,
depending on weather. After they show signs of new growth, apply a one inch per
week rule.
Trees and Shrubs: newly planted
trees and shrubs should be watered every 4-5 days for the entire first year
after planting, unless rainfall is abundant. Place the end of your hose next to
the base of the plant and let the water trickle very slowly for about two
hours. This will allow the root zone to become thoroughly saturated.
Established Lawns: your lawn should
be watered when the grass blades don’t bounce back after being walked on. One
inch of water per week should keep your lawn green and healthy. It is best to
water early in the morning, before the heat of the day. This keeps evaporation
to a minimum, and allows plenty of time for the grass to dry before nightfall,
which will help prevent fungus problems.
Newly Seeded or Sodded Lawns: for
better germination, I suggest you mulch grass seed with straw as soon as it is
planted. Once seed has germinated or sod has been laid, they must not be
allowed to dry out. Water daily with a sprinkler until there is good growth.
Early morning is again the best time. Once established, go back to the one inch
per week rule.
Water Gardens: also require an
occasional addition of water. Check your pond weekly and add water as needed.
Water plants have variable depth requirements, so you need to keep the water
levels consistent.
So continue to enjoy your outdoor
spaces and make relationships with your plants! They can give you so much in
return!
See you in the Garden,
Sandi Hillermann McDonald
