This entire summer week after week, I felt like a broken record hoping and waiting for rain like all of you. In August, I started talking about watering priorities in these weekly columns. I had hoped I was being overly cautious and knew rains would come but they have not in any measurable quantities.
On September 11, OSU Extension Ag and Natural Resource mployees were given the opportunity to listen to several of our colleagues and specialists discuss lawn and landscape drought issues via a Landscape Drought update. Here are a few ‘take away” notes.
- Careful considerations for your water source..Well water, city water..How are you watering ? The cost, the danger of well going dry?
- Think about watering slowly and carefully, so it can percolate thru the soil to the root zone especially as we send plants into the winter.
- Time of watering does not matter, just water!
- Trees planted in the last 2-3 years are most at risk, if adequate moisture is not received. Established trees will limp along because they have a better-established root zone.
- Needled trees and conifers will suffer most and some may not recover
- Use this drought as a way to look at your gardens—Is there a particular plant you just don’t like? Remove it to conserve water for the plants you do like?
- Do you have a sentimental favorite plant in your garden from a friend or relative? Focus on watering and caring for that plant especially during times of drought
- It is ok to give up on your annuals and maybe even your vegetable garden.
- Thinking about taking advantage of fall garden center sales…Think again!!! Planting will be difficult and soils may need to be amended and watering those plants in will be critical and mulching with 1 ½ – 2” of mulch is imperative. Just be prepared to do the work!
- Don’t stress turf by mowing – Brown Turf is dormant; Gray or White turf is dead. Try to get water onto the most important parts of your lawn. And do not try to do a fall seeding into your lawn unless you are willing to water.
- The TAKE AWAY message is this drought may have long term effects that could be impactful in our lawns and landscapes into next year and beyond.
Please understand this is not to be a message of “doom and gloom” but the reality of the situation we are in. We can all remember and relate to prolonged periods with little rainfall, but we are looking at months/weeks with no rain. Take care of what you already have in your garden and think about those plants that are your favorites..give them a long, cool drink before the winter winds begin to blow!
And just in case you are wondering…absolutely YES!! I will be buying some fall pansies for some pots, they are my favorites and I will always find a way to water a pansy! because as farmers and gardeners that is just what we do..believe in a better tomorrow !
