Everett
On Sept. 17, the United States drought monitor had Wood County at the D2 stage or severe drought.
The University of Nebraska- Lincoln states: This makes fall and winter watering extremely important; plants still need irrigation while they are dormant. If plants are ignored through drought conditions, it may seem that they are fine for a while but the dieback from drought stress can show up three to five years later. Also, drought stress can cause more damage from insect borers, fungal diseases such as canker and verticillium wilt, as well as other problems. Healthy plants can fight off pests better than stressed plants.
I could not agree more.
All plants will benefit from fall watering, but newly planted trees, shrubs, evergreens, and perennials should have first priority. Use a soaker hose to ensure that the soil is wet down to 8-12 inches deep surrounding these plants and at least out to the dripline of those trees. Mulch can also help keep moisture near the plants, the goal is to keep the soil moist, not soggy, or dry.
Become friends with your soil, dig into your garden and find out whether you have clay or sandy soil. Different soil types dramatically affect how much moisture is available to garden plants. Sandy soils are prone to drying, while soils with high clay content hold moisture much longer. Soils with proper amounts of organic matter will help clay soils drain better while helping sandy soils to retain moisture.
Autumn watering is different from summer watering. Though we may be still in drought conditions due to shorter days and cooler temperatures the soil does not dry out as fast as it does in the summer. With daytime temperatures between 50 and the low to mid-70s, watering may be decreased to every other week.
Natural rainfall may supply all the moisture your landscape needs. One sure way to know is to use a rain gauge. Wide variations in weather patterns distribute uneven amounts of rainfall across a geographical area. This was most notable Tuesday evening Sept. 24. Wood County data showed the northern part of the county received between a quarter to a half inch, middle of county between an inch and a quarter to an inch and a half, and the southern part of the county less than a quarter of an inch of rainfall.
There is a myriad of irrigation methods for landscapes. The “smartest” types of irrigation are soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems. These two methods drastically reduce the quantity of water needed because water is concentrated at the root zone – right where it is needed – so less water is wasted. These systems also lay on the ground beneath the foliage canopy, providing water to the root system without wetting the foliage. Soaker hoses and drip systems are often used in tandem with mulch covering the hoses or tubing. This efficient method of watering allows moisture to be distributed to the root system while conserving water loss from evaporation. This type of system is ideal for perennial gardens as well as foundation plantings close to the home or other buildings. For watering newly planted trees a watering bag provides another efficient use of water. Finally, overhead sprinklers or traditional lawn sprinklers, though not as efficient, may be the best resource for irrigating large areas.
Not knowing how long our drought conditions may exist, winter watering is essential in dry years. Water throughout the winter when the ground is not frozen, and when necessary. Winter watering should occur during the day on days when the temperature is at least 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit and is only necessary one times per month until spring.
Autumn and winter watering does have major benefits, however there are drawbacks. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Inground and above ground irrigation devices including hoses need to be drained and if needed blown out with air before freezing temperatures set in.
Regardless of how you choose to water your landscape keeping your plants irrigated as needed will help ensure healthy plants next spring.
