AUGUST 201 4 SUNRAYS | 65
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“How do I save water and my plants
right now?” This is the question on our
minds as we reach the peak of summer
heat. We are considering changes, look-
ing for ways to modify our landscape
to use less water in the future, but it’s
August in Central Texas—what can we
do right now?
First: Mulch, mulch, mulch!
Plants
need protection from this extreme heat,
just as we do. For example, last August,
on my early morning tour around the
yard, I was surprised to see leaves droop-
ing on a crape myrtle tree. Normally,
crape myrtles are strongly drought tol-
erant, but topsoil had eroded around
this tree, exposing roots to extreme
summer temperatures. Immediately, I
mulched and watered. In a few hours,
the tree looked crisp and fresh again
with no more problem. This experience
demonstrates the importance of keeping
a watchful eye on your landscape to be
able to remedy problems in early stage.
Do an irrigation audit
. Howmuch wa-
ter are the plants getting? The only way
to identify water usage is to check the
irrigation system. Place straight-sided
pans—tuna or cake pans work fine—
and run the system about 10 minutes
to see how much water collects in the
pans. Most turf needs an inch of water
per week for a vivid, green lawn; how-
ever, the turf can survive a drought with
half an inch per week. Deep soil with
organics (i.e. compost added), should
hold moisture well enough to water only
once a week; if not, water as deeply and
infrequently as possible.
Check for moisture retention.
The
next important step is to go out a few
hours after watering, or even the next
day, and use your finger, a screwdriver,
or a moisture sensor to be sure the soil is
retaining moisture. If only the top layer
of soil is damp, that means the roots of
the plant are not getting enough wa-
ter and cannot survive without deeper
watering.
August Tips for a Beautiful
Water Wise Landscape
Next month
:
Next month, join
me for tips on beginning a new
landscape or converting an exist-
ing landscape.
Winola is a Williamson County
Master Gardener, a member of
the Sun City Garden Club and a
member of the Sun City Water Wise
Task Force.
By Winola VanArtsdalen
Remember, stressed trees and bushes
need slow, deep watering at least every
two weeks. If trees or bushes are newly
planted or are on shallow, rocky soils, they
need watering evenmore often. A four- to
six-inch mulched berm, or “saucer,” built
around a tree or bush, will help direct wa-
ter to the root ball. (This strategy is used
extensively in the Southwest.) Location is
also important in watering trees—water
from halfway between the trunk and the
dripline, or a little beyond the dripline.
Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants
with organics/compost in the soil can go
two to three weeks between watering, or
even survive on rainfall alone. Look at
the Sun City Texas community landscape
areas or throughout the neighborhoods
for attractive beds using plants like rose-
mary, germander, sages, and lantana.
Consider further action.
When con-
sidering ways to save water at home,
there are some important considerations.
Is there a zone with only plants (no turf)
where it would be feasible to change to
drip irrigation, which yields a high per-
centage of water saving? Or, is there a
way to add more shade or wind protection
to the plants? Kits and individual equip-
ment are readily available. Install a rain
barrel for hand watering; this provides a
reserve supply of water to save precious
plants, especially during periods when
water usage is totally cut off. It is amaz-
ing how much water can be saved from
one small rain shower!
An immediate help for stressed plants
is seaweed solution. A little liquid sea-
weed mixed in the watering can, then
applied to foliage in the early morning,
can give them a boost. Seaweed formula
is 0-0-1, with the last number indicating
potassium, which helps a plant in stress.
Certainly, we can all agree that there is
stress in a Central Texas summer!
Stay safe!
Be sure to remember to take
care of the gardener, too, by applying
sunscreen, wearing a wide-brimmed hat,
drinking lots of water, and working early
in the morning!
AUGUST GARDENING TIPS
• Remember: mulch, mulch, mulch!
• Check daily for signs of stress: foot-
prints left in turf; breaking branches
in trees, plants wilted in the morning.
• It is OK to trim oak trees now, but
paint all wounds (any size, any sea-
son), immediately!
• Hold back on fertilizing and planting
now. Let the garden rest!
• Keep the mower set to a height of
three to three and a half inches.
• Check the irrigation system regu-
larly. If you are planning to be away,
be sure someone has access to your
sprinkler system in case there are
any needed adjustments or repairs.
Horticulture Questions:
Contact Williamson County
AgriLIFE Extension Office at
512-943-3300.
