Spring Drought Watering Tips

As the temperatures rise, so will evaporation and the need for water from plants. Keep reading for some tips from Chalet's Chief Horticulturist, Tony Fulmer, on how to keep your plants happy and hydrated in the heat. 

 

 

    1. Make anything planted this year a priority- whether it’s an annual, perennial, shrub or tree. We love the analogy that new plants should be treated like intensive care patients and checked daily for hydration. 
    2. Don’t use wilting as your reminder that a plant needs water. Be ahead of the game and water before a plant “flags”. We recommend imagining that the plant is still above ground in its original container. Visual how much water you would have to apply for the water to be coming through the drainage holes in the container or out of the bottom of the burlap on a balled & burlapped plant. Once you’ve watered the entire ball from top to bottom, and side to side, you’re finished for the day. 
    3. Mulch, mulch, mulch to reduce surface evaporation.
    4. Irrigation systems have to be on a LONG time to wet to the bottom of the root system of a newly installed large tree or shrub. Spend the time and water as needed bearing in mind that as we go through the 80s and into the 90s plants are going to dehydrate more quickly than when temps are in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. 
    5. Sorry, but it’s impossible to recommend a watering “schedule”. Watering varies with temperature, soil type, plant type (just a quickie, evergreens should be watered less frequently than soft-leaved plants like ‘Annabelle’ Hydrangea or coleus, for example). A watering schedule would be meaningless.
    6. For your outdoor planter arrangements: To determine whether your arrangement needs water, use a finger to touch the surface of the soil.When temperatures are 60°F or lower, water 2 times per week; When temperatures are over 75°, water daily; For every 10°F over 75, add an additional watering per day, allowing the water to drain out of the bottom of the container each time.  
      Check out our blog post for more information on watering. https://chaletnursery.com/blogs/chalet-blog/chalets-watering-care-tips

     

    Back to Chalet Blog