Here in the suburbs, a pretty front space not only makes for good curb appeal but increases our homeowner self-esteem. We all strive to build healthy root systems in our lawns and gardens. Working on the root systems will pay dividends in the future, saving money on watering as well as plant replacement if things go wrong.
How does this work?
Roots follow water. That is, if water is only available at the surface of the ground, then roots will stay there. Plants that are watered too often have shallow root systems because they have no need to grow deep ones. Why grow below the surface if all the water is on top? Plants have figured that one out!
On the other hand, if water is most often available only deep underground, and NOT near the surface, roots will grow down, down, down, as far as possible to find water. You might say a little drought is a good thing; it’s like toughening up the spirit for the hard times that will come. It’s just a matter of when. A season without rain. A week away on vacation. A three-day weekend when you decide to sleep in and binge-watch Game of Thrones.
Garden? What garden?
The moral of the story is that if we want an emerald-green lawn framed by beautiful flowers and anchored by sturdy trees, we have to find the sweet spot of watering in amounts that are just right. There are many variables to consider. Types of grass, annuals vs. perennials, sunlight, shade, rain amounts, wind breaks, and microclimates are all factors that must be taken into account. An obsessive, compulsive gardener can be seen in the front yard with a fork, crouched on hands and knees getting rid of crabgrass that sneaked over the border. Most of us can be seen on the deck with a cold beverage wondering how that many weeds made it into the backyard when our neighbor is running out of forks.
So, now that another major growing season has come and almost gone, what can be done now to avoid problems and plan for the future?
- Water deeply now to grow a deeper root system in trees and plants other than annuals. According to Walter Reeves, The Georgia Gardener, “Turf grasses need approximately one inch of water per week in order to remain green.”
- However, don’t water every day! Rain will supply some of the water you need, although early fall is typically on the dry side in Georgia (active hurricane seasons not withstanding). Consider contacting Sprinkalawn to install a rain gauge to monitor water levels if your system does not already have one.
- Water in short cycles to avoid run-off, but get a total watering time of 20-30 minutes in a session. That is, water for five or six minutes, then turn off the system and allow the soil at least half an hour to absorb it. Then water for another five minutes, allow for more absorption, and so on.
Obviously all of this is easier to do with an irrigation system from Sprinkalawn. These come with timers. With systems like these, managing your lawn and garden has never been easier!
Contact Sprinkalawn for an estimate on a system for your lawn. Have the best in the business for nearly 40 years install an automatic system that will have you wondering how you ever lived without one!
