Water is Life!
Welcome to the dog days of summer. With temperatures hitting record highs over the last few weeks, I figured it was a good time to talk about watering. Anne Arundel County has received less than half the average expected rainfall over the last few months. Therefore, whether your native plants are new, or established, chances are they are looking stressed!
Hopefully you have already done your research and taken one of the most important steps when it comes to keeping your native plants thriving, which is selecting the appropriate varieties for your location and site conditions (right plant, right place!). However, even the most drought tolerant species planted in the right spot are likely taking a beating from the record heat. Here are some key things to think about to keep your native plants happy and healthy through the driest time of the year.
1. Water infrequently but deeply.
It may be all you can take to go out and water for a few minutes in this heat. However, this is the opposite of what natives like. Native roots run deep, and you want to encourage those long, deep, water-absorbing roots by watering deeply. WSA’s Restoration Coordinator, Faith Waaramaa, explains to aim for a deep soaking 1-2 times a week rather than light daily watering to ensure better absorption, especially for newly planted trees and plants. This means you need to apply 1-2 inches approximately once a week for a good, deep watering. Newly planted trees may require 5-12 gallons of water per week, ideally applied every 5-7 days, but depending on the weather and how quickly your soil drains, you may need to increase the frequency.
2. Water early in the day.
Watering early in the day before the temperatures heat up helps to prevent evaporation and allows the plants time to absorb the water to get them through the long hot day. This also allows plenty of time for the leaves to dry out, which reduces the chances for diseases and fungus. This also gets you outside before the temperatures get uncomfortable.
3. Listen to your leaves.
Plant leaves that are wilting don’t necessarily mean they need more water. Wilting is a natural survival strategy that some plants use during the hottest parts of the day to reduce water loss. Plants that are wilted during the day and into the evening may be perfectly fine, and additional water could cause issues. Waiting until the morning to see if your plants look happy is a good idea to make sure you are not overwatering. If your plants are still wilted in the morning, go ahead and water them. Just remember “Wilting leaves at night, it’s going to be all right. Wilting leaves in the morning, gardeners’ take warning.”
4. Reduce water loss with mulch or MORE plants!
Covering the soil with a natural wood mulch helps retain soil moisture and keep soil temperatures cool. Natural mulch also breaks down slowly, adding organic matter to your soil which also helps with moisture retention. You know what else helps retain moisture in the garden? MORE PLANTS! Filling in bare spots with additional plants or a 3-inch layer of mulch will help keep your soil cool and moist.
Of course, no one knows how long we’ll have to heed these extreme heat warnings. However, now you have some tips to keep your plants alive during the hottest days of summer. Be sure to take care of yourself too and stay hydrated. Drink lots of water, wear sunscreen, and rather than stand out in the heat to give your plants that deep watering they love, use this as your excuse to get a soaker hose or sprinkler to keep your plants thriving. Just a sugg-Jeff-tion!
