Friday, September 11, 2009

The Time For Lawns, Gardens And Trees To Dry

By Thomas Fryd

August weather is generally a continuation of the same - hot and dry with an occasional cooling, refreshing shower that makes folks glad they are still alive to enjoy it. And, too, we are not so far from September, when the weather is scheduled to turn over to a new page.

With only one month to go before rains (we hope) the most important task in the maintenance of trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables and grass is furnishing them with sufficient water to keep them in good condition until ample moisture arrives.

Street trees, growing in narrow parking strips, will be very thankful for an occasional refreshing drink. Small trees can be watered by the basin method, but large trees with buttress roots, which prevent the making of basins, are best watered by means of irrigation or sprinkler attached to the hose and allowing the water to work down through the soil to get the water down to the thirsty roots. Cover the area from the trunk out to the spread of the branches.

When plenty of water is available it is a good idea to have a plant watering system, the evening is probably the best time to water since the trees or other plants have several hours for absorption before evaporation again increases. And, too, less of the water is lost from direct evaporation than when the watering is done during the day. In most localities water pressure is so low on hot summer evenings that very little watering can be accomplished. The gardener who is an early riser finds the water pressure excellent and is able to get a lot done before Old Sol begins to "bear down." Watering in the vegetable garden should be followed by shallow cultivation just as soon as the soil is in proper condition.

A few extra dollars paid for water during the summer is a cheap insurance rate for saving trees and plants. The cost in dollars of replacing a nice tree or of resodding a burned-out area of lawn would buy many gallons of water.

About the Author:

No comments: