Much of Wisconsin is currently experiencing drought conditions. May of 2023 and now into June have seen little rain across the state. Because of this, it is important to take proactive measures to protect the investment you have made in your landscape during this challenging time. Below are some tips to protect your landscape during drought conditions.
10 Tips to Protect Your Landscape in Drought Conditions
- Water your landscape plants and turf during the cooler parts of the day – early morning is ideal, or in the evening. Less water is lost to evaporation during these times of the day.
- Established Turf should be watered at a rate of 1” per week, ideally all at one time. This amount of water should wet the soil to a depth of 4-6”. Applying less than this may encourage the roots to grow near the soil. Which impedes the lawn’s ability to stay green and survive a drought.
- Newly sowed turf seed and sod. It is important to keep the soil moist to allow seeds to germinate and sod from drying out. Watering multiple times per day can certainly be necessary.
- Mature trees, soak the area under the drip line (the end of the tree’s branches). Provide up to 10 gallons of water per inch of tree trunk. Using a soaker hose is a good method. This should be done at least once per week.
- Newly planted trees water daily keeping this soil moist.
- New and mature shrubs water deeply, this encourages your plants to send roots down into the soil to search for water. For newly planted shrubs, daily watering may be necessary.
- Established perennial plants and ornamental grasses, deep watering 2-3 times per week is recommended.
- For new perennials and ornamental grasses, deep watering daily may be necessary. Watch for signs of wilting.
- Annuals and container gardens can dry out quickly due to delicate root systems. Daily watering can be necessary. Sometimes twice per day. Watch for wilting and signs of stress.
- In addition to watering, adequate mulching of planting beds will aid in keeping the soil cooler and slow down the rate at which the soil will dry out.
Landmark Landscapes Can Answer Questions
If you have any questions regarding how to care for your gardens and landscape during this unusually dry part of the year please contact Landmark Landscapes at 920-467-6442 or email us here.
Contact
Landmark Landscapes of Sheboygan Falls, WI is a full-service landscape company. Based out of Sheboygan County, with a satellite office in Green Lake, Wisconsin. We are centrally located and uniquely positioned to service the areas of Sheboygan, Elkhart Lake, Fond Du Lac County, Green Lake County, Ozaukee County, Manitowoc County, and Door County. We can manage your property with our Total Property Care system, and design and build projects large and small. Contact us today at 920-467-6442 to learn how we can care for you.
