Watering 101 for Late Summer Lawns and Gardens
The dog days of August have arrived, and with it, the potential for dormant lawns and droopy gardens in need of late summer refreshment.
Watering is key to keeping lawns and summer blooms healthy for the rest of the growing season. Here are some pro tips for when, where and how much to water.
Check it out:
• Keep a close eye on plants' moisture levels. Dry, wilted leaves are a sign of too little water, versus wet, wilted leaves that are a sign of too much water.
• Test soil moisture using a probe and push into the soil. When you pull the probe out, if the surface is muddy or wet when withdrawn, the soil is too wet. If you have a hard time getting the probe into the soil, it's too dry.
• Does your grass resemble straw? If there is an extended time without water, your lawn may go dormant, turning gold, then brown. This is similar to a hibernation process - the grass isn't dead and should bounce back with a normal rainfall or watering. So, if you come home from vacation and you see yellow, gold or brown, your grass is dormant. It generally takes weeks without any watering or rainfall for grass to die.
Time it right:
• Never water at night in hot and humid weather, especially with evening temperatures above 70 degrees. That's because humidity and moisture can cause damaging, potentially devastating fungus and disease, including something known as Pythium Blight.
• The best time to water is in the early morning, preferably before sunrise. The early morning sun dries out the grass blades, preventing the spread of fungus. Early morning is also a good time of day to be outside and enjoy the weather.
• You can water your lawn during the day if that is your only option. It isn't harmful to the turf but can be wasteful because a lot of the water will be evaporated with heat, sun and wind.
• Plants in containers dry out quicker, so water them at least once a day, perhaps even twice.
• In general, newly-planted trees, shrubs and evergreens should be watered two or three times a week. Check moisture of the area around the tree or shrub, using a probe or even your finger.
Methods matter:
• Water deeply and less frequently. As a rule of thumb, grass should get an inch of water a week either by watering or rainfall. Water turf long enough so that when you walk on the grass, it feels spongy. If you water in shorter periods of time, the roots will not grow deep enough into the soil.
• Flowers and vegetable gardens should also get the equivalent of an inch of water per week. Invest in a rain gauge (even a cheap one) to measure rainfall for that week.
• When watering new plants, shrubs or trees, be sure to water the soil at the base of the plant to make sure that the roots are thoroughly moist.
• In general, the larger the plant, the more water is required.
• An irrigation system can help with regularly scheduled watering. Make sure your irrigation system is calibrated, so you know how much water your plants or turf are getting.
In a few weeks, when temperatures start to cool regularly, it will be time to shift gears. The ideal time for lawn repair and reseeding is in September, allowing lawns to be rejuvenated before the ground freezes. You can also start thinking about and planting cool-season crops, like kale, broccoli and cauliflower, and add plants, shrubs or trees for fall interest. That is one of the things we like best about landscaping - it's always interesting.
Bob Bertog is president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a Certified Landscape Professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals. He is also past president of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association.