As temperatures rise with the summer months, especially in
the sometimes sweltering Texas heat, the challenges of maintaining a healthy
and thriving landscape can be daunting. Soil dries out, plants start to wither,
and water restrictions may be imposed. That’s why it’s important to take
preventative measures and water wisely so that your lawn, beds, trees, and
gardens don’t suffer irreparable damage during the summer season.
Risky plants
Some plants are at higher risk than others during the hot,
dry weather. Newly planted perennials, newly plants shrubs and trees, or flower
beds must be maintained carefully to ensure their survival. Ask the experts at
C4 Landscape & Design for advice on the best ways to help your specific
at-risk plants get through the season.
Signs of dehydration
Watching for early signs of dehydration is one key to summer
landscaping. Keep a close eye on your lawn and plants, and immediately attend
to their watering needs if you notice potential problems. The most obvious sign
to watch for is wilting, but here are some other tell-tale indicators of
dehydration:
- Leaf yellowing
- Shriveled leaf areas
- Browning leaf edges
- Translucent leaves
- Bluish-green foliage color
- Early blossom dropping
- Stems bending over
- Grass and leaves curling
upward
- Slow growth
Watering advice
The best way to save your plants and lawn is to water them.
At the earliest signs that your landscaping needs water, act fast instead of
risking severe damage. To get the most out of your watering, here is some
advice to keep in mind:
- Water early for the
highest efficiency. You’ll lose the least amount of water to evaporation
when you water early in the morning. Evaporation is a big issue especially
when you’re using sprinklers, as some of the moisture evaporates before it
even hits the ground. This can be a real problem when you water during the
hottest times of the summer day. You may choose to water in the evening,
but that can bring an increased risk for diseases like moss.
- Water evenly. Don’t ignore
areas because they might be harder to reach.
- Water deeper and longer
instead of more in frequent, shorter time periods. Roots tend to follow
water, so if the water only reaches the top, roots can collect near the
soil’s surface. This increases their vulnerability to hot temperatures. To
combat this, water less often but for longer amounts so that deep root
growth is encouraged.
- Avoid wasting your water
with runoff. Make sure your sprinklers are aimed correctly and check on your
landscaping now and then during watering. If you notice runoff occurring
before you’ve reached a deep watering, turn the sprinklers off a while so
the plants and lawn can absorb the water and then restart as needed.
- Know the rules. Some
communities in the Houston area and the Hill Country have water
restrictions in place. Learn the specifics about any restrictions in your
neighborhood, such as how often you can water or what time of day or for
how long, and follow them. Even though this can be hard on your
landscaping, it’s better to be a good citizen as well as avoid any fines
or tickets.
Lawn tips
Your lawn may be the most noticeable thing about your home’s
curb appeal at first glance. Here are some hints about keeping it looking its
best:
- Walk on your grass and if
you leave footprints, your lawn could use water.
- Squeeze your soil into a
ball and if it keeps its shape, the soil has enough water. If you squeeze
any water out of the soil, hold off on watering because it is overwatered.
- Aerate your lawn yearly to
minimize runoff and allow your soil to accept hydration better.
- Lightly spray plants with
water during the day to prevent spider mites, which are encouraged by heat
and drought.
- To prevent weeds and
promote nutrient retention, add mulch around your plants. If weeds
develop, remove them so they won’t suck up the water or nutrients that are
intended for your plants.
The hot summer months don’t mean that your landscaping has
to suffer. Be smart about maintaining your plants and lawn, and seek the help
of C4 Landscape & Design if you have questions or concerns.
