Three Steps to Survive the Drought

Drought has arrived. Precious little rain has fallen recently. The forecast predicts more dryness.

Not unusual for mid-summer in Brookfield, Elm Grove and New Berlin, WI, by any means. Heck, we’ll think about these days fondly while shivering in January and February.

It’s understandable if you’re concerned about the impact of drought on your lawn and landscaping, though. After all the work and expense to make your yard attractive, who wants to watch it shrivel away?

Image courtesy of TeddyBear(Picnic) at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Let’s address three steps to surviving the drought, which means revisiting a few topics we’ve addressed recently:

• First, make a decision about your lawn. Either water, or don’t. Grass naturally goes dormant in dry weather. It turns brown. The green returns with regular rains. As long as grass is well-established – i.e., not recently planted – all will be OK.

If you want a green lawn, water consistently. Don’t jump back and forth between letting grass go dormant, then watering to return the green. Doing so stresses the plant and weakens its health.

• Keep an eye on landscape plantings. Perennials, shrubs and trees don’t go dormant (unlike grass). If you see obvious signs of distress – curled leaves, drooping, lack of color – water right away.

Better yet, be proactive. Landscape plants need an inch of water per week in hot weather. If Mother Nature isn’t delivering, it’s up to you. Water in the morning, and use a sprinkler or soaker hose that delivers water gently and evenly. Adding mulch helps retain moisture in soil, too.

• This is a good time to attack weeds. Hot dry weather weakens them, like other plants. Use a liquid herbicide to take them out, once and for all.

Hot weather might make you sweat, but there’s no need to sweat over your grass and landscaping. Invest the time where needed (watering plants), and even take advantage of a window for improvement (killing weeds). Summer is about fun – take needed steps to keep your yard healthy, and then get out there and enjoy it!