We had a wet spring, but now that summer temperatures are rising faster it’s time to give Mother Nature a helping hand with the watering chores. Established trees and shrubs have deep roots and are less likely to suffer from dry conditions. Shallow-rooted plants like flowers, vegetables and grasses are the first to show the stresses of inadequate moisture. Young trees and shrubs that have only been in the landscape for a few years are particularly vulnerable to damage from dry growing conditions. Supplement water with mulch Water garden and landscape plants thoroughly, then add two to three inches of mulch to help retain moisture and insulate the soil. Wood chips, shredded bark and mulches that are slow to break down work well around woody plants and perennials. Grass clippings, shredded leaves, straw and mulches that decompose more rapidly are fine in flower and vegetable gardens where they may be turned into the soil at the end of the growing season. Water in the morning Water early in the day, if possible. Less moisture will evaporate because it’s cooler and not as windy at that time, but plants will dry rapidly in the sun. It’s okay to water in the heat of the day, but if you use an overhead sprinkler, more of the water will evaporate and less will reach your plants’ roots. Avoid watering in the evening, unless it’s your only option. Plants may stay moist all night, a situation that encourages disease. When is it time to water? If you walk across the lawn and your footprints don’t spring back, get out the sprinklers. Test gardens by brushing aside a little mulch and checking the soil with a trowel. If it’s still damp, wait a while. If it’s dry under the mulch, you know that water is needed to keep your plants growing well. As for young trees and shrubs, a good soaking two or three times a week, depending on how hot and windy it is, should do the trick.
