Purdue News
Purdue News
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June 2, 2000 It's not easy being greenery if the rain stops fallingWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Recent rains have grass and plants looking vibrant. There are no guarantees they'll stay that way, with long-range forecasts calling for drier than normal weather or even drought throughout much of Indiana in June, July and August. Should the heavenly spigot shut off, homeowners can avoid wilting lawns and gardens by watering at appropriate times, mowing the grass more frequently and at a higher height, pruning trees and shrubs, and limiting the use of fertilizers, say Purdue University turfgrass and horticulture experts. Left undisturbed, grass can survive up to eight weeks in arid conditions without substantial thinning or death, said Zac Reicher, Extension turfgrass specialist. That isn't true of most yards, however, where human and animal traffic, improper mowing methods and other factors greatly reduce a lawn's tolerance, Reicher said. Reicher recommends watering deeply and infrequently, between the hours of 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. Daytime watering is discouraged because water is lost to evaporation. Early evening watering should be avoided as well. "If you water in the early evening, you enter the world of turf diseases," Reicher said. He explained that water left standing on grass blades for extended periods invites harmful organisms. Grass should be trimmed at a higher height, regardless of soil moisture levels, Reicher said. "You can never mow enough," he said. "Mow frequently and as high as you can." The lawnmower blade should be set at 3 inches to 3.5 inches high. Mowing lower, or "scalping" the lawn, depletes the energy reserves grass needs to withstand hot, dry weather. Grass clippings should be left on the lawn, not bagged and removed, Reicher said. "Those clippings are full of nutrients that go right back into the lawn," he said. Aerating the lawn will improve its root system and combat soil compaction. Reicher suggests aerating equipment with hollow tines that punch 20 to 40 holes per square foot. While tending the lawn, don't forget bushes and other greenery. A deep watering every few weeks is wise, said Rosie Lerner, Extension consumer horticulture specialist. An inch to 1.5 inches of water around a plant's root zone is adequate, she said. Newly planted trees, shrubs and garden plants may need to be watered more often, Lerner said. "Young transplants and seedlings are particularly susceptible to drought injury – they don't have much in reserve to draw on for recovery," she said. Pruning promotes good plant health. "Prune out any dead or damaged branches by cutting back to their point of origin," Lerner said. "If plants appear to be dead, cut away the outer bark and look for green tissue underneath. That's an indication that there is still hope for regrowth." Lerner and Reicher advise against heavy fertilizer use on parched ground. "Fertilizer can help injured plants recover by encouraging new growth, but it's best to go easy. Too much fertilizer may actually burn young growing roots, causing further damage," Lerner said. "Fertilizer should be applied sparingly, and only if adequate moisture can be provided to the plant. Spring and fall are generally better times to fertilize." Summer is not the time to make big changes to the yard, Reicher said. "The best time to improve a lawn is September," he said. Sources: Zac Reicher, (765) 494-9737; zreicher@purdue.edu Rosie Lerner, (765) 494-1311; brl@hort.purdue.edu Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415; sleer@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu Related Web sites:
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