Drought Management And Preventative Measures

In the years when the rain is scarce, you need to take certain steps to protect and to save your landscape from damage or even loss. Lawns,trees and plantings cannot survive without regular watering, and there are things you can do to help your landscape make it through a drought.With lawns, the type of grass will depend on how it survives a drought. In general, a lawn will require about an inch of water each week. You need to water it deeply and thoroughly. A good soaking one time each will simulate nature and the natural rain cycle. With flowers, this may end up being the hardest to preserve. Flowers take a lot of watering and they are sensitive to the soil temperatures. When the ground feels hot and dry, they need water. In a drought that is quite a lot.

Trees are well worth putting the effort into saving them. They are a greater investment and need some special attention too. Just because they have a deep root system, don't think they are safe from the drought. To water trees you must take the hose and find the drip line of your tree. This is the area that rain water would normally run off the tree and onto the ground.

 

Take your hose and water the ground all the way around the tree until the ground is soaked. You need to repeat this procedure every two weeks during the drought and continue for a while after the drought is over to let the tree catch up. There are things you can do before droughts that will help you to come through a drought easier and with less water. One of these ideas is called Xeriscaping which means to landscape with minimal water usage.

 

 

Some of the advantages of using these methods are:

• Less water needed
• Less upkeep
• Less mowing

When you implement landscaping for the area you live, especially in hot dry regions, you will have bigger success in a thriving, enjoyable landscaping. Here are a few tips to make things go a bit smoother in a hot dry region:

 

The soil and plants should complement each other, or make adjustments.

When you water, it is better to water low and have the drops of a larger size so it does not mist and waste water.

 

Understand your growing zone and buy landscaping plants that thrive in your growing zone. Sunny areas should have low water need plants.

 

Mulch should be spread about 2" to 4" inches to retain the water in the ground and to discourage weeds.

 

Use the types of grasses that are native to your area where you live. That way, if you are in a drought area, your lawn will survive.

Your lawn needs regular care. You should do aeration and fertilization every four to six weeks for the best results.

 

Remember, for the best results, take into account of what grows naturally around your area and try to utilize nature create a beautiful landscape that you can enjoy.

 

Contact Cheryl Ray at Penguin Properties in Austin, Texas for additional information. www.findingcoolplaces.com