- Author: Gerry L Hernandez
Avoid overwatering
Overwatering established landscape plants is more common than underwatering. While newly planted ornamental plants require frequent light irrigations due to small compact root systems, established plants should not be watered everyday. They do much better with deep and infrequent irrigation.
Know how much water to apply and when to apply it
Become familiar with the water needs of plants growing in your climate and micro-climate. A straightforward approach to help you apply the right amount of water to your landscape when it is most needed is to use the "feel test". Get your hands dirty! Dig a small hole 6 to 12 inches deep. Grab a handful of the removed soil and squeeze. Soil that falls apart easily is a little too dry and should be irrigated. If a lot of water oozes out, wait a few days before you water.
Mulch
Apply 3 to 4 inches of mulch on the top of soil around your landscape plants.Mulch reduces soil evaporation, controls weeds, reduces erosion, buffers soil temperature, and reduces compaction. It is important to recognize that organic mulches decompose over time and need to be supplemented regularly to remain effective.
- Author: Gerry L Hernandez
Make every Drop Count
- Mulch
- Repair leaks and broken sprinklers
- Reduce overspray areas
- Adjust the system frequently to the season
Benefit:
- Conserve water
- Save money
- Urban landscape water use can be reduced by 50%
- Author: Gerry L Hernandez
This is a 7 part series on saving water in your garden and landscape. Here is part 1.
1. Create drought resistant soils
- By incorporating 2-4 inches of compost into the soil you will increase the water holding capacity of the soil
- Topdressing compost around plants will reduce water needs but not up to the plant base. Space @ the base.
- Mulch all exposed soil to reduce evaporation with bark, leaf litter or rocks
Benefit:
- Reduced water usage
These simple steps can save a lot of water, beautify your landscape and improve plant health!
Watch for our next installment on Monday March 16, 2015.
- Author: Gerry L Hernandez
Nurture the Soil
1. Grasscycling
A. Did you know that grass clippings have 4% nitrogen. By putting the clippings back into the lawn you are using less fertilizer.
2. Mulch Regularly
A. Mulch is any material spread over the soil. It can be leaf litter, bark or rocks
B. You need 2-4 inches at all times to suppress weeds
3. Feed Soils Naturally
A. Add a thin layer of compost to your soil
B. Feed turf by topdressing with compost instead of commercial fertilizer
C. Apply compost 2-4 times a year to your plants instead of commercial fertilizer
4. Minimize the use of Chemical Pesticides
A. Many pesticides are toxic to microbes and other soil dwelling creatures, worms are great workers and we need to keep them alive
B. If pesticides are needed chose the least toxic first. Always read the label
C. Learn IPM www.ipm.ucdavis.edu
Benefit:
Conserve water
Enhance plant growth
Suppress weeds
Improve the appearance of your garden
- Author: Gerry L Hernandez
February in the garden:
In the Garden
- Around Valentine's Day apply dormant copper spray to peach and nectarine trees no later than bud swell.
- Fertilize mature trees and shrubs after spring growth starts.
- Be sure to remove and discard (do not compost) fallen camellia blossoms to reduce petal blight.
- Fertilize spring blooming and fall-planted perennials.
- Mulch 3 inches deep around plants (without touching stems) to conserve soil moisture.
- Plant in vegetable garden by direct seeding: radishes, beets, chard, and peas.
- Start tomato, pepper and eggplant seeds indoors.
- Flowers to transplant or direct seed: snapdragon, candytuft, larkspur, coral bells, and stock.
- Plant bulbs for summer bloom: dahlias, begonias, gladiolus, lilies, etc.
- Plant potaotes
Pruning:
- Finish pruning roses.
- Prune summer blooming shrubs now.
Pest and Disease Control
- Watch for aphids on spring blooming bulbs; remove with a strong spray of water.
- As the weather warms prepare to battle slugs and snails with traps or pet-friendly baits.