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Good watering practices
Keeping your yard healthy doesn't have to be time consuming and can even be relaxing. Wise water use is one sign of a good gardener. Follow these tips to keep your lawn and garden adequately watered:
- Always observe local water use restrictions. Many communities across the country are adopting watering limits, especially during times of drought.
- Before selecting plants for the landscape, check the plant tag for water requirements. Try grouping similar water need plants together for maxim efficiency.
- During hot periods of the growing season, watch for signs of plant stress and in need of water. Newly-planted shrubs, trees and lawns require extra attention. Rain gauges let you know when you need additional water.
- Use mulch to retain soil moisture. Keep weeds out of the lawn and from planting beds. They compete for moisture and nutrients.
- Minimize evaporation and fungal diseases by watering early in the morning. If the lawn or garden is becoming stressed or endangered from lack of water, go ahead and water without delay. Avoid using sprinklers on windy days.
- Water trees and large shrubs at their drip lines.
- Use soaker hoses and drip irrigation to deliver water directly to the base of the plant where it's needed.
- Water deeply to promote root growth. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Strong root systems create hardier turfgrass. Shallow waterings evaporate before water is able to saturate the soil where it's needed.
- Mow your lawn at the recommended height for your type of turfgrass. Mowing grass too close causes stress and invites disease. Letting grass grow too tall also increases the chance of disease.
- Remove thatch and aerate as needed to increase the soil's water absorption.
- If you have an underground sprinkler system, keep it adjusted and well-maintained.
- Don't forget end-of-the-year maintenance to protect your hoses and watering system from winter freeze damage. Water expands as it freezes. If you live an area that regulary freezes, at the end of the season drain hoses, water timers and sprinklers before the first frost. Store them where they won't freeze.
Using the right equipment
You'll need the proper equipment to water your lawn and garden:
- A quality multiple ply, reinforced garden hose.
- A plastic or galvanized watering can with a detachable rose sprinkler head.
- A water or spray wand that attaches to your garden hose for watering flowers and container plants.
- Pulsating or oscillating sprinklers for specialized watering.
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