Watering plants in the summer requires a bit more planning than watering in the spring. Mother Nature doesn’t produce quite as much rain to rely on, and the summer sun quickly dissolves most of the moisture in the ground. What can you do to combat these issues? Check out this summer plant watering guide.
Signs Your Lawn Is Not Getting Enough Water
Not sure if your yard needs more water? Here are some signs to watch out for:
- Your lawn has a grey tint to it
- The grass is dull green instead of vibrant green
- There are scorch marks on the grass
- Your grass is brittle and dry
- Footprints don’t disappear quickly after you walk on the lawn
- The soil consistently looks dry
If you’ve noticed any of these issues in your lawn, you likely need to water it more. Berns Landscaping can help you plan an irrigation routine as part of your landscaping schedule.
Water Landscaping in the Morning or Evening
The cool morning and evening hours are the best time to water plants in the summer. This ensures that the water has enough time to soak into the soil before the high heat evaporates it away. The morning hours are most ideal. If you water too late in the evening, the water may pool on top of the soil to attract insects and fungal growth.
Avoid watering in the afternoon as this will likely prove fruitless. The water will evaporate quickly, long before it reaches the roots. This will not only increase your water bill, but it will also leave your plants starved. Shift the sprinklers ahead a few hours to combat this issue.
Consider Shade and Plant Needs When Watering
Plants in shaded areas may not need quite as much water as plants with strong sun exposure. With that said, some plants simply need more/less water than others. It’s important to keep that in mind when planning your summer plant watering. Is the plant drought-tolerant? Does the plant naturally occur in a wet environment? What species of grass do you have on your lawn, and how much water does it need?
Take all these factors into consideration to plan the right watering schedule.
Adjust Watering with Precipitation
Natural precipitation may limit how often you need to water your plants. For example, Detroit receives about 34 inches of rain each year, with peak rainfall in June and September. You may water less in those months and more in July/August when the rainfall is lower. If it’s a particularly rainy week, you might not need to water at all. Consider the current and upcoming weather factors as you water in the summer.
How to Tell If You’ve Watered Enough
One of the easiest ways to see if you’ve watered enough is to check the soil after watering. The water should saturate about 6 inches of soil, which you can check with a long screwdriver. Water your lawn, and check the water penetration every 15 minutes. If the soil is dry after a couple inches, keep watering. If it’s wet all the way down, you’re good to stop.
Of course, there are dangers to watering too much. Your soil shouldn’t be so saturated that it has pools of water on top. If you can still feel water squish under your feet after 30 minutes, taper back the watering for the next day. You may even need to skip a day or two to let the ground readjust.
Let the Experts Make a Watering Plan for Your Landscaping
Watering plants in the summer can get a little complicated. If you’re worried about the math or unsure what your needs may be, it might be time to call in the experts. Berns Landscaping can create a landscape watering plan as part of your property maintenance. Contact us at (586) 756-1145 to get started.