2005 Year in Review

Watering Tips during Times of Drought

Source: David Robson, U of I Extension Educator, Horticulture, 618-242-9474

When drought conditions prevail, gardeners have to start making choices about what to water and when. It’s not often an easy choice.

“Trees and shrubs should top the list,” advises David Robson, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “They are more of a long-term investment than annual flowers and vegetables. Mature trees and shrubs cannot be easily replaced like a tomato or petunia.”

Perennial flowers are next in line on the watering list due to their longevity.

Cool-season lawns of Kentucky bluegrass, fescue or ryegrass generally go dormant when conditions are hot and dry. Robson says their need for water greatly diminishes once they are dormant.

As a rule of thumb, most plants need 1 inch of water per week during the active growing season. But when temperatures climb past 90 degrees, plants may need at least 2 inches of water per week. An inch of water should penetrate into the ground at least 6 to 15 inches, depending on soil type.

“Water early in the morning to decrease the chance of diseases and to lessen evaporation,” says Robson. “Watering during the middle of the afternoon can result in more than half of the water evaporating before it enters the soil.”

Irrigate slowly so the water has a chance to percolate into the soil instead of running off. Slow irrigation is especially important when watering slopes.

Water where the roots are located. The entire flower or vegetable garden may not need to be watered if the roots haven’t spread all over the garden. It’s more practical to water down the row, or around each plant, rather than watering the entire garden area with a sprinkler.

On trees, the water-absorbing hair roots are at the drip-line (outermost branches) of the plant—not congregated around the trunk. Water at the tree’s drip-line, or 3 feet beyond that line for mature trees.

For more information about helping garden and landscape plants endure the dry weather, request the Dealing with the Drought fact sheets from the Whiteside County University of Illinois Extension Office, 815/772-4075, or download them at U of I Extension. Topics include trees and shrubs, leaf scorch, lawn care, and proper sprinkler use.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
July 11, 2005