By Heather Prince
www.thegrowingplace.com
August 8, 2013 5:00PM
Master gardener Nancy Carroll waters her plants on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. Carroll said that it is important for gardeners to water their plants regularly if they can because of the extended stretch of dry conditions in the area. | Jeff Cagle~For Sun-Times Media
Updated: August 9, 2013 3:04PM
For the past month or so, rainfall has been very scattered, so don’t let the cumulation of water earlier this year fool you.
Here are some guidelines for watering this summer:
Put out a rain gauge and make sure it’s out in the open so you can get an accurate measurement.
Water recently planted plants and those in containers more frequently. For the most part, plants thrive with an inch of water per week. However, new plants don’t have an established root system yet, so they may need more. Check the soil moisture by inserting your finger into the soil 2 inches deep under any mulch. If it feels dry, water slowly and deeply.
To deeply water trees, use a slow trickle from a hose for 20 to 30 minutes, and about 15 minutes for shrubs. If you’re using a sprinkler, place an empty tuna can out as an easy way to measure how much water is being delivered.
Let your lawn go dormant. This also discourages Japanese beetles from laying eggs in your turf as they prefer lush, well-watered grass. Dormant lawns will still need to be watered once a month, if we receive no significant (an inch) rain. If possible, water in the morning, giving foliage time to dry to prevent fungal problems.
Garden Tip is courtesy of Heather Prince, The Growing Place, 630-355-4000,
www.thegrowingplace.com
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