Photo: Pink Sherbet Photography
According the National Weather Service, precipitation for March 2010 in Milwaukee was 0.83 inches compared to the normal 2.59 inches. This comes at a time when our landscapes are using a lot of energy to push out leaves, develop flowers, and generally get ready for the summer months ahead. Crawford Tree and Landscape would like to give you some tips on when and how to water, and to offer our continued commitment to keeping your landscapes beautiful.
Wee-hour Watering
Watering the garden after a long day at work can be a chore. We grab the gardening hose (or turn on the irrigation), get the soil wet, (and the leaves) and call it a night. Unfortunately, extended periods of standing water on leaves create a perfect environment for disease. Consider watering early in the morning so the sun can rise and quickly evaporate the fungus-loving habitats from your plants’ foliage.
Go Deep!
Another common mistake is not watering deep enough. Shallow soil moisture encourages shallow roots systems that are susceptible to drought. Instead of watering for a half an hour each morning, consider watering for 2 or 3 hours once a week on established landscapes.
Conserve
Water is a priceless resource that deserves our respect. One of the easiest ways you can conserve water is to pay attention to rainfall. Don’t irrigate immediately before, during, or after a rainstorm. This may seem laughable, but with automated irrigation systems, it’s easy to overlook. Rainfall sensors can fix this problem by turning off scheduled watering times during storms. Install rainfall sensors with your irrigation systems and check them occasionally to make sure they are in working order. By decreasing water use, you may even end up with a lower water bill.
How do you know when it’s time to water? Amongst all of our responsibilities, it is easy to forget when it rained last, which plants can take dry conditions, and so on. Crawford Tree and Landscape can help you there. We know which plants will need supplemental watering during the growing season, what method of irrigation will work for your landscape, and how to ensure a healthy green season. Correct watering practices are essential for a healthy landscape, so let’s work together to ensure that your plants have everything they need.
Photo: Pink Sherbet Photography
