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May 29, 2008 12:00 pm US/Eastern
Angie's List: Summer Lawn Watering Advice
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Summer heat is always a threat to landscaping, causing many homeowners to
worry about whether they'll be able to keep their lawns lush and flowers in full
bloom. The key to a great lawn isn't more water. In fact, excessive moisture can
actually damage the roots of the grass.
"A typical lawn only needs and inch of
water and it's best to water it all at one time," says Angie's List founder
Angie Hicks. "If you split it up through the week you may actually be
encouraging weeds."
According to Angie, don't panic, "If you're not able to water your lawn in
the heat of the summer, it's okay. Your lawn is actually going dormant to
protect itself and it's better to let it do so. Once the rain comes back and
you're able to water again your lawn will green right back up." Angie recommends
watering in the morning, watering wisely and carefully choosing your plants.
"The best bet when it comes to landscaping is to choose plants that are native
to your area. They're going to be used to the climate and thrive on less water,"
says Angie.
There also is no reason give your lawn a buzz cut! Angie says, "I talked to
some highly rated service companies and they suggested raising the level of your
mower. longer grass is going to provide more shading and keep the soil from
drying out too quickly."
Angie's List tips to save your landscape in hot, dry conditions:
Water in the morning: During this time the sun is low, winds are calm and
temperatures are cool. Watering during the day is less efficient because of
possible water loss due to evaporation. Watering in the evening can leave plants
wet overnight, which could lead to fungus or plant disease.
Water wisely: A steady stream of water from a garden hose will only wet
the surface and run off. To determine how long you should run your sprinkler set
a glass in the middle of the area being sprinkled and keep track of how long it
takes for an inch of water to collect in the glass. For bigger areas like the
lawn, place a container at different locations in the sprinkler's coverage area
and average the results. You can also test your soil by pushing a screwdriver
into your lawn. If it's difficult to push into the ground, the soil is very dry.
You can also determine if your grass needs watering by simply stepping on it. If
the grass springs back easily, it has plenty of moisture.
Protect your plants: Mulch is probably the surest way to ensure the
health of all your plants during the heat of summer because it traps moisture
and helps keep soil cool. If you applied mulch a few months ago, fluff
it.
Maintain water equipment: Check your irrigation system to make sure
everything is working properly. Repair or replace broken or damaged nozzles or
heads which can wreak havoc on your landscape and water bill. Make sure
sprinkler heads are adjusted properly to avoid watering sidewalks and
driveways.
Plan ahead while away: Vacation time can be deadly for your plants if you
don't have a reliable neighbor to help keep your container plants healthy while
you're away. One solution is to pull back the mulch in a shady garden spot.
Place potted plants on bare ground in a tight grouping and then tuck the mulch
around the base of each pot. Soak the plants and the surrounding soil, and they
should be fine for up to a week
Change your landscaping: Avoid the issue of keeping your lawn green in a
drought by landscaping your yard with native grasses and plants that require
less water. While establishing any new landscape requires more water in the
first year or so, a water-wise landscape will require about 20 percent to 50
percent less water from start to maturity.
Adjust your mower: Raise your mower level so you don't cut more than
one-third of the grass. Taller grass shades the soil surface, reduces
evaporation and helps prevent the sprouting of weeds. And keep your lawn mower
sharp. A sharp mower makes a clean cut and keeps the grass healthier.
Angie's advice on handling lawn damage caused by moles:
If your lawn looks like something has been burrowing beneath its surface
creating a bunch of tunnels and the ground has pockets where's it's sunken in,
you've been the victim of a critter, such as a mole. According to an Angie's
List poll, one-third of members say an animal has caused damage to their
property.
Moles can be a real nuisance, especially in well-tended lawns. They make
tunnels in pursuit of grubs, worms and other insects, creating those infamous
molehills and lumpy lawns.
Getting rid of the unwanted animal is only the first step. For serious damage
-- like moles -- you may need professional help. Once the animal has been
removed, the challenge is then putting your yard back together. The key is to
get the grass roots back down to the soil. The mole hills can be raked out and
re-seeded. Moles are attractive to wet soil because it's easier to dig. Less
water means less moles. Watch how much you water your lawn and choose native
plants that require less watering.
To protect your garden, place wire mesh in the dirt before you start
planting. The roots of the plant can still go through the mesh, but the animal
will not be able to destroy the plants by uprooting them.
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