The heat is definitely on this summer! And your plants and grass are definitely feeling it. Proper watering is so important for your lawn and plants during the summer.
Here are some tips to keep your yard alive and happy, despite the scorching heat.
1.) Water in the early morning (ideal time) or in the evening when the sun is not as hot and the winds are calm. This will decrease the chance of water being lost to evaporation. If you do water later in the evening, be aware that wet foliage may lead to fungus or mildew, making plants unsightly and threatening their health. Be ready to control diseases if you irrigate at night.
2.) Water only the roots and drip line of plants - not the foliage. Watering the foliage may result in sun scald during the heat of the day. The drip line of the plant is the area directly below the outermost reaches of the branches.
3.) Water new plantings more frequently to get their roots established. You should water lightly but more often. Water mature plantings more thoroughly but less frequently. You want to get the water deep into the soil to encourage roots to grow deeper. Shallow watering keeps roots close to the surface leaving plants susceptible to drying out more frequently.
4.) Do not over-water your plants. Since plants need oxygen in the soil to grow, excessive water can cause root rot since it is unable to absorb moisture. Symptoms of stress are similar to when a plant is too dry: wilting, yellowing, leaf drop. To determine whether the stressed plant is over or under-watered, dig down around the base of the plant after it has been 24 hours since the plant was watered. If the soil is soggy you are overwatering. If it is cracked and dry, you need to water more.
5.) In watering your lawn, run your sprinklers until you get water runoff, then stop them. Per watering, you want the soil to be wet 4-6 inches deep per watering. Use a spade or shovel to see how deeply the water has penetrated the soil. If it hasn’t reached this level, water again after the runoff water has absorbed and water until it reaches this depth.
BEST ADVICE: Irrigation Systems are Lifesavers for Plants (and People)
It is difficult to accurately predict your lawn and garden’s watering needs. Factors such as sun exposure and soil composition can affect how much you should water plants. A properly installed irrigation system can help you with this. Irrigation systems help plants because they make sure that the plants get their needed water intake. Everyday. They help people since they take care of our plants for us - even during the extreme heat of a Louisiana summer and even when we are on vacation.
Call Vista Landscaping (504) 292-9022 if you would like to discuss the installation of an irrigation system in your residential or commercial landscape.
Here are some tips to keep your yard alive and happy, despite the scorching heat.
1.) Water in the early morning (ideal time) or in the evening when the sun is not as hot and the winds are calm. This will decrease the chance of water being lost to evaporation. If you do water later in the evening, be aware that wet foliage may lead to fungus or mildew, making plants unsightly and threatening their health. Be ready to control diseases if you irrigate at night.
2.) Water only the roots and drip line of plants - not the foliage. Watering the foliage may result in sun scald during the heat of the day. The drip line of the plant is the area directly below the outermost reaches of the branches.
3.) Water new plantings more frequently to get their roots established. You should water lightly but more often. Water mature plantings more thoroughly but less frequently. You want to get the water deep into the soil to encourage roots to grow deeper. Shallow watering keeps roots close to the surface leaving plants susceptible to drying out more frequently.
4.) Do not over-water your plants. Since plants need oxygen in the soil to grow, excessive water can cause root rot since it is unable to absorb moisture. Symptoms of stress are similar to when a plant is too dry: wilting, yellowing, leaf drop. To determine whether the stressed plant is over or under-watered, dig down around the base of the plant after it has been 24 hours since the plant was watered. If the soil is soggy you are overwatering. If it is cracked and dry, you need to water more.
5.) In watering your lawn, run your sprinklers until you get water runoff, then stop them. Per watering, you want the soil to be wet 4-6 inches deep per watering. Use a spade or shovel to see how deeply the water has penetrated the soil. If it hasn’t reached this level, water again after the runoff water has absorbed and water until it reaches this depth.
BEST ADVICE: Irrigation Systems are Lifesavers for Plants (and People)
It is difficult to accurately predict your lawn and garden’s watering needs. Factors such as sun exposure and soil composition can affect how much you should water plants. A properly installed irrigation system can help you with this. Irrigation systems help plants because they make sure that the plants get their needed water intake. Everyday. They help people since they take care of our plants for us - even during the extreme heat of a Louisiana summer and even when we are on vacation.
Call Vista Landscaping (504) 292-9022 if you would like to discuss the installation of an irrigation system in your residential or commercial landscape.