06/26/2021
Hot Weather Watering Tips - try to imagine yourself as a plant!
1. Water deep and infrequently - Most of the plants that we grow here in our region will benefit from deep waterings once a week that thoroughly soak the soil, both on the surface but also down in the deeper soil layers. Watering in this way will encourage the roots to grow deeper and seek out moisture in the lower soil horizons, making for a more resilient and deep rooted plant in the long term. Want to go on vacation this year and not worry about your trees dying? Then give them deep waterings! Or install an automatic drip irrigation system.
2. Water the whole root zone - The biggest downfall of drip irrigation systems with single emitters per plant is they often only water one small area. Root systems don't just grow down; they grow far and wide, so watering in a way that encourages both lateral as well as deep root growth will make for a healthy root system. Using drip tape with emitters spaced every 12" is a great way to accomplish this. Plus, if you're planting climate adapted plants that won't need supplemental water after establishment, you can reuse that drip line on your new plantings and get the most out of those materials.
3. Water at the right time of day - Making sure your plants are watered before they need it is the best way to ensure they don't suffer a hydro deficit. Be sure to water days before the heat wave arrives, as opposed to once it's here and your plant is already showing stress. Also, the time of day you water can be very important. Ideally, if you can water before sunrise or as early in the morning as possible your plants will have time to fully uptake that water before the photosynthesis factory really starts cranking for the day.
4. Plant with hydro zones in mind - We've been guilty of it many times, even though we theoretically know better, but planting plants with similar water needs is the easiest way to ensure that they are all thriving. As tempting as it can be for various reasons to combine plants with different water needs, you will likely end up with only one of them surviving in the long term. Keep the mediterranean garden dry in summer, the cacti dry in winter, and the apple orchard watered all summer. Doing a little bit of research into a plant's water needs and grouping them accordingly can save you a lot of headaches.
5. Listen to your plants and listen to your intuition - If a plant is really struggling, don't be afraid to move it into the shade or give it extra water. Even newly establishing drought tolerant plants need supplemental water to get established. If you're paying attention to how the plant is looking and what the conditions are, then you should be able to keep almost any plant alive, even through the most extreme heat waves.
