Editor’s Note: Several readers have requested the E-T go back to a long tradition of publishing a weekly column by the county extension agent, and Alex Deason has graciously agreed to do so. Plans are to feature crop updates as well as information regarding various home and outdoors topics under the column name “Step Outside.” Readers are encouraged to submit ideas for things they’d like Alex to address. You may email him at a.deason@msstate.edu.
The past couple of weeks has shown summer is here to stay. However, those who have been out in the garden, flower beds or yards know that this year has been very different than years past.
During May and June our local area received rains pretty consistently on a weekly basis. During those nine weeks we recorded 9.5 inches or around 1 inch per week. Average temperatures of 63˚F to 84˚F were also welcomed by plants and anyone outside.
But now that summertime temps have arrived, we must remember how infrequent rains become in late July. To keep our gardens and yards lush green and producing we must supplement the lack of rainfall.
A rule of thumb is to give your plants at least 1 inch of water per week, but that can be altered depending on weather, such as rainfall. One of the easiest ways to know that enough water is being applied is if the top 3 inches of soil are wet after the hose is cut off. Below are some tips that can help your landscape or garden stay healthy:
nTry not to use an overhead sprinkler when watering to keep the leaves dry and diseases down
nAttempt to water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and diseases
nWater deep and less often to ensure the roots are going deep into the ground
nMulch around your plants to conserve moisture and control weeds
nPotted plants need more frequent watering
nRemove all diseased or dead plant material
Try these steps for the upcoming months to help your landscape and garden beat the heat.
