Sometimes, when it rains, it pours!
When you’re caring for new landscaping, though, you can’t always depend on Mother Nature to deliver just the right amount of rain.
That means adding water to keep your new shrubs, lawn and gardens healthy – but how much water do they need?
Our experts at Tree Amigos know full well that watering too much can be just as disastrous for your new backyard oasis as not watering enough.
When it’s really hot out, though, how do you know when to turn off the taps?
Our Tree Amigos teams have some tips for hot-weather lawn and garden care:
- When it’s really hot out, some of the things we do as a landscaping firm include planning for shade; watering on timers; working very early and in the evening hours, when things are a little cooler. We try to keep ourselves hydrated and our skin protected while working, too. These are good, general tips for any homeowner.
- Save regular maintenance tasks, like weeding or mowing the lawn, for early morning or evening hours, when the sun is not at its hottest. (Remember to consider your neighbours when starting up that mower before 8 a.m. Just because you are up doesn’t mean everyone is!)
- Since your lawn’s growth will slow down during the hotter weather, you’ll be able to mow less frequently and raise the blade a bit. Raising the blade will keep the roots of the grass somewhat protected from the heat of the sun.
- Leaving grass clippings on the lawn, called “grasscycling,” will provide a ready source of fertilizer, while helping the soil retain water, which promotes root growth.
- Add a deep covering (two to three inches) of mulch to your garden and around shrubs and trees. Mulch encourages water retention, shades roots and slows weed growth.
- Add a rain barrel to your garden equipment. Position it beneath a downspout to capture rain runoff. Make sure the barrel is screened to prevent insect growth or access by wildlife and children. A rain barrel comes in handy during drought, as you will have a small supply of water available for your most delicate plants.
- Watering lawns, gardens and shrubbery is best done early in the day, so leaves of plants have time to dry off. Watering late in the day, near sunset, means leaves may remain wet and encourage disease and pests to make a home in your garden.
- The best way to get that early-morning watering done is to put your vegetable and flower garden sprinkler or soaker hose on a timer. That means you get to sleep in if you need to, but the garden won’t miss out on its dose of moisture. Timers are readily available from home renovation or hardware stores, and most garden centres, and are fairly easy to install.
- Watch for wilting plants: Those with larger leaves tend to wilt sooner than plants with smaller leaves. If you notice wilting plants, check the soil throughout the garden for dryness. Some plants wilt naturally in the heat, but recover in the cooler temperatures of evening.
- The question of how much to water isn’t easily answered. A rule of thumb for gardeners is to water consistently, so plants and lawns are not stuck in a “too dry, then too wet” cycle. Consistent watering allows plants to remain healthy, helping them withstand summer’s heat and potential disease.
- For lawns, water thoroughly once or twice a week to promote healthy root growth. Watering just a little every other day can encourage shallow root growth, leaving grass vulnerable to heat and drought damage. It’s better to give a thorough watering less frequently.
- Don’t forget to fertilize! Use a fertilizer that dissolves in water, and apply to gardens and soil around new plantings every week or two. However, in high heat and dry soil conditions, skip the fertilizer, because plant roots could be more easily burned. The same goes for herbicides, if you feel you must use them. Do not apply during high heat, because the lawn’s roots are too easily burned.
Well, we can’t change the weather, but we can make sure we give our lawns and gardens every opportunity for healthy growth and beauty.
While summer in Niagara often means scorcher days with no rain in sight, there is one thing for sure: The rains will come again, eventually!
Giving Mother Nature a hand in the garden means your new landscaping will stay healthy, just the way you envisioned it.
Planning a landscaping change, or need someone to maintain your backyard oasis? Give the Tree Amigos office a call at 905-937-5353. You can email questions to info@treeamigoslandscaping.com or request a quote HERE!
Want to see what Tree Amigos can do for you? Visit the Houzz app and put our name in the search bar. You’ll find photos of our landscaping design; stonework; water features; driveways; decks and much more.
