So far this summer we’ve been blessed with gorgeous weather – lots of warm, sunny days and just enough rain to keep everything green.
Well, that’s about to change. The 7-day forecast is calling for hotter temperatures with little chance of rain. This means that, even though watering and irrigation haven’t been an issue so far this summer, you better be sure to water your lawn and landscapes starting TODAY if you want to keep things green and healthy!
Here’s what we’re recommending for our landscape clients
In terms of landscaping, it’s important to understand that trees, shrubs, perennials and lawns installed within the past year are EXTREMELY VULNERABLE in these hot and dry conditions.
What are some good watering guidelines? Newly planted lawns, bedding plants, shrubs and trees need to be watered to the depth of the plant’s root system every week during the growing season of its first year. In other words, for new turf and bedding plants this means watering to a depth of 4-5”, for shrubs to a depth of 12-18”, and for trees 18-24” deep. These guidelines are also good for established plants during hot and dry times like these.
In addition to these guidelines, it’s also a good idea to frequently check your plants for wilting, as well as monitoring the soil to make sure it hasn’t dried out. If you find wilting or that the soil around your plants is excessively dry, soak immediately.
Have You Had a Mid-Summer Irrigation System Check-up?
If you haven’t yet, it would be a good idea to call us and schedule one to make sure your sprinkler system is working properly to deal with the extreme summer weather.
For a Mid-Summer Irrigation System Check-up we will:
- Turn on and check your controller and valves to ensure proper operation.
- Check and adjust all sprinklers for proper coverage and water distribution.
- Re-set your controller to a proper seasonal schedule based on the specific horticultural needs of your property.
- Repair any line breaks and broken sprinklers, if needed.
If you have any questions about proper care and watering for your landscape during this drought, email us or call. We’d be happy to talk with you or email you a PDF with our watering recommendations.