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June tips for a beautiful
Water Wise landscape
By Winola VanArtsdalen
In Texas, we are now in early summer
and wise watering is essential. Be
sure to check your irrigation system
monthly to see that it is working
efficiently. You cannot afford wasting
water with sprinkler heads pointing in
a wrong direction or leaking rather than
spreading water where it is needed. If
you are away for a period of time, be sure
someone has access to your irrigation
system in case adjustment is needed.
How much water do my plants need?
Water needs vary according to condition
of soil, slope and wind. The first step to
healthy plants and saving water is to add
organics to your soil to aid soil retention, weeks during periods of inadequate
but this must be done in mild weather.
Be sure you are watering deeply. The
best guide for how much water is to check
the soil after running your system. A
simple screwdriver can tell you how deep
the water is reaching. If the screwdriver
goes into the soil easily, it is moist. When moisture depth with screwdriver or other
it stops, the water is not reaching that
point. After running your sprinkler
system, check a few hours later or the
next day to see how deep the soil is moist.
This is how deep your roots can grow.
They will not grow without moisture.
If you water frequently but only to a
shallow depth, your plants will have
shallow roots and be more susceptible
to death in hot weather. Plants and turf
under normal conditions benefit from 1
inch of water weekly but can survive
drought on one-half inch each week.
How long does my sprinkler system
need to run to apply 1 inch of water?
You can do an irrigation audit using any
straight-sided pans such as tuna or cake
pans. For instructions, go to http://
aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/
files/2010/10/audit.pdf
How do I know if my plants need
more water? Thirsty turf turns off-
color with a dull purplish cast and leaves
footprints when walked on. Take a walk
78 | SUNRAYS JUNE 2015
Once a tree is established, apply wa-
ter in a wide band around the outer
reaches of the tree’s canopy, called the
dripline.
around your yard in the morning to look
for wilted plants. Many plants wilt in
summer heat because that is simply their
drought strategy. If they are still wilted
in the morning, then they need water.
If one or two plants are wilted, water
them by hand. Do not run your sprinkler
system for a whole zone just for a couple
of thirsty plants!
Shrubs and Trees: Protect your
biggest investment by soaking deeply
with a soaker hose every three to four
rainfall. With a regular water hose, you
can use a pencil-size stream to water
the area midway from the trunk to the
dripline and a little beyond. Divide into
small areas, two hours or more for each
area, and keep moving around. Check
tool.
JUNE GARDENING TIPS
• The Texas Forest Service advises to
avoid wounds on oak trees February
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.
Master Gardeners and other
experienced gardeners are available
to answer questions a half hour
before Sun City Garden Club
meetings each month. The Garden
Club meets the second Wednesday
of each month beginning with
the question/answer period at
12:30 p.m.
through June. All wounds on oak trees
must be painted immediately, any size
and any season.
• Mulch planting beds, shrubs and trees
and water deeply.
• Trim dead blossoms to keep plants
blooming.
Turf:
• Do not apply top dressing until cooler
weather, as the nitrogen could burn
turf.
• Keep mower blades sharp and raise
mower height during summer heat to
3 inches or more to shade roots.
• Never cut more than one-third of the
height from grass when mowing.
Source: Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension
Service
Horticulture Questions:
Contact Williamson County AgriLIFE
Extension Office at
512-943-3300
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG