By KATHY VAN MULLEKOM
Daily Press (Newport News, Va.)
Intense heat and less than half of normal rainfall in many areas has left landscapes dry this summer.
Two Cornell experts provide advice: Water trees and shrubs, but not the lawn.
“In hot dry years like this, just let the lawn go dormant,” says Frank Rossi, Cornell professor of horticulture.
“Think of your lawn like a hibernating bear. Many lawns will turn completely brown. But most of the lawn grasses will survive four to six weeks without significant rainfall. In most cases, they’ll green up again in late summer or early fall, when the rain returns and the temperatures moderate.
“Overwatering during hot weather does far more damage to a lawn than drought. Watering – particularly frequent light watering – encourages lawn diseases and weeds. The cool-season lawn grasses commonly grown in the Northeast naturally slow down as temperatures rise and soil moisture decreases, even in normal summers.”
But, don’t give up on trees and shrubs that shed their leaves, according to Nina Bassuk, also a Cornell professor of horticulture.
“Go ahead and water them,” she says.
“It’s better late than never. If they’re still alive, they’ll grow new leaves. And after two weeks of photosynthesizing they’ll have made up for the extra effort it took them to re-leaf.
“When it’s really hot and dry, many trees and shrubs will shed their leaves – and some will just dry up. Drought is very stressful and can sometimes kill them outright.
“Newly planted trees and shrubs are particularly vulnerable because their root systems aren’t fully developed. They have a harder time foraging for moisture. Depending on the species, site and planting practices, that might mean keeping 2- to 5-year-old plantings carefully watered during dry periods, hopefully preventing drought-caused leaf damage or loss in the first place.”
More Cornell tips for watering lawns and trees can be found at
http://blogs.cornell.edu/hort/2010/08/03/rx-for-landscape-woes-water-trees-and-shrubs-not-lawn/
MEET THE OOZE TUBE
If you are looking for a helpful way to keep your trees and larger shrubs watered, you may want to check out the Ooze Tube, a doughnut-shaped drip irrigation system for newly planted or drought-stricken trees. It comes in 15- and 25-gallon sizes.
The tube is convenient to use because you fill it once every two weeks – perfect for vacationers and busy households.
It’s also helpful for watering trees in remote locations.
The tube’s low profile allows for good air circulation for better growth.
Use it on any tree … evergreens, multi-stems and low-branch species. The tubes can also be used on shrubs.
Connect several tubes for 5-inch or larger trees.
If you get a leak hole, it’s easily repairable with duct tape.
Tube prices start at $11, depending on your source. There are discounts for larger quantities. Purchase the tube through www.bluestonegarden.com or call toll free 866-543-1222; www.amazon.com also offers them.
There’s even an Ooze Tube for vegetable gardens, making it easy for you to enjoy the juiciest, homegrown tomatoes ever.
(Contact the writer: www.dailypress.com/digginblog)
Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/08/12/2399989/diggin-in-water-trees-shrubs-in.html#ixzz0wnrdU7QY
