Landscape Now: How + When To Water Your Yard

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Saturday, July 06, 2013

Frank Crandall, GoLocalWorcester Landscaping Expert

Although we may think that with all the rain we have had that an article about watering your plants may seem unnecessary, conditions in southern New England can change rapidly leaving us with a water shortage. Most all of our water needs for our landscapes and gardens occur in the summer months when rainfall is not always dependable! I want to share with you guidelines about when and how to water your plants, information about sprinkler systems and drip irrigation and steps you can take to conserve water...our most precious resource! Ensuring your landscape plants, gardens, window boxes and pots receive the right amount of water will allow them to thrive.

When and How to Water Your Plants

With regular and moderate rainfall nature can provide your plants with the moisture they need to grow and flourish, unfortunately, rainfall does not come in even, measured amounts...thundershowers might bring several inches of water all at once, or a light drizzle might bring a fraction of what is needed. As a rule new plantings will require the equivalent of 1 inch of rainfall a week...some tender annuals more, perennials maybe less and newly planted trees and shrubs more. Newly seeded lawns will require light watering every day for two weeks to keep the ground moist until the seed germinates...then every other day for several weeks with deep, soaking watering then once a week afterwards as needed. Once established a seeded lawn should not be watered every day...only infrequent, deep waterings.

The best time to water is in the early morning hours or later in the day, not during the heat of the day when much of the water will be lost to evaporation. Lawns should not be watered in the evening when they do not have time to dry out...leaving them susceptible to fungal diseases, especially during hot, humid weather.

Watering is best achieved by running the hose about a third open and letting the water soak into the ground of your landscape plants, gardens and window boxes. Try to minimize spraying the leaves, but soak the ground at the base of the plant where the roots are. Infrequent, deep watering will help the plants to grow deep roots thereby providing them with the ability to withstand a summer drought or when you experience a local water ban. Established lawns should be watered infrequently and deeply, encouraging the turf roots to grow deeply into the ground. Watering every day will cause the roots to stay close to the surface making them much more susceptible to drought and stress.

Sprinkler and Drip Irrigation Systems

The use of sprinkler systems has become commonplace as homeowners want to maintain a perfectly green lawn all summer long. Unfortunately, many sprinkler systems are used improperly causing unnecessary use of water. A properly set system should have a rain gauge (which shuts the system down when it rains) and operates infrequently with deep waterings can be very efficient and effective. Systems that run every day waste water and encourage the lawn to have shallow roots...making them less sustainable. Make sure your system has a rain gauge and is adjusted properly!

Drip irrigation for your window boxes, pots and gardens can be a very efficient way to water your plants. Drip systems emit water slowly under low pressure to the plants base...ensuring water goes to the roots and not evaporate into the air. Drip irrigation is relatively easy to install and inexpensive making it a great choice for water conservation minded homeowners!

Water Conservation Techniques

Water is a very precious resource, especially during the summer months! We need to take steps to conserve water so our communities will not have to experience water bans. Steps to take: Make sure all hose connections are tight and that a nozzle is on the end of your hose. Adjust your sprinkler system to operate infrequently, do not spray driveways or sidewalks, and make sure your rain gauge is working properly. Collect rainwater off your roof into barrels or rain gardens. Minimize showers and wash cars at facilities that recycle the water used in the process. Choose appropriate times to water in order to minimize evaporation. Mulch gardens to help keep the moisture in the ground and choose drought tolerant plants. Efficient watering will ensure your plants thrive...while at the same time conserving water: our most vital resource!

In my next article I will look at rain gardens as a way to capture runoff water and return it into our ground water system!

“When the well’s dry, we know the value of water.” -Ben Franklin

Frank Crandall, Horticultural Solutions. Frank is a R.I. resident specializing in coastal landscaping, organic land care, small business consulting, writing, speaking and photography and will be submitting biweekly articles about Landscape Solutions. Frank just published his third book, Creating a More Peaceful, Happy and Successful Life!. You can read more about his book on his website, www.FrankCrandall3.com. Comments about Frank’s articles are welcome by contacting him at [email protected].

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