Ways to Keep Your Lawn and Garden Hydrated When Rain is Scarce and Temps are High

As we approach summer with an already HOT and DRY spring, keeping plants hydrated becomes a concern for many people.  While we all know water is the key, there are things we can do to conserve water and reduce the amount of time standing in the yard...feeding the mosquitoes.  Here are 6 tips to keep those plants happy and healthy during times of extreme heat.

1.  MULCH, MULCH, MULCH

For established plants, mulching is the single best thing you can do, to retain water and keep the soil temps lower.  Several inches of mulch is like a living sponge, breaking down over time to add biomass to your soil.  Mulches such as pine straw, pine and hardwood bark, and wood chips, work well. My favorite, however, is wheat straw. You can find all of these at your local home and garden stores.

2.  Ditch the Sprinkler 

While sprinklers can be effective for lawns, it’s a poor choice for trees and plants.  Water thrown in the air just evaporates.  You are better off to lay a hose on the ground and let it trickle for 10 minutes and then move it to different areas.  Just don't forget about it!  There are special drip hoses you can buy at your local hardware store.  Drip hoses do a great job in watering garden rows and flower beds.

4. Don’t Bag Those Grass Clippings!

Spreading a thin layer of composted grass on your lawn is a great way to add organic material, build up soil levels, and aids in water retention.  You can also add a mulching blade to your lawn mower and let the clippings go back to the soil.  Also, if you have grassy areas, allow it to grow a little longer. The taller grass acts to shade the soil, and reduces the amount of water required.

5.  Grow Clover, All Over

Consider adding clover to your lawn. Grass is a major water consumer, and in the end...people just want a green lawn...not a brown one.  Clover is very drought tolerant, will still be green when your neighbor’s fescue is parched, and its a great way to add pollinators for the bees!!! 

6. Early Morning or Late Afternoon Watering 

I personally like to water in the evening.  Usually, that’s when we all have more time and the temperatures are cooler. Early morning is a good option, as well. The cooler temps will allow as much water as possible to feed root systems, and decrease the amount of evaporation that happens during the hot daytime hours.

7. When it Does Rain

When it does rain, remember, there is ALWAYS someone sitting on a front porch somewhere saying, "Welp, We Sure Did Need It..."  

Have a great Summer!

This post was brought to you by one of our local contributors, Brian Ezzell.