Watering the right way just as important during summer heat

While you may not wilt in this summer heat, more than likely your plants will. So, what to do?

Give them water. Yes, it’s an obvious solution, but there is a wrong way to water your plants and grass when the temperatures climb during the summer months.

Watering in the morning is best for both grass and plants. The water has time to seep into the ground and to the roots before the hot sun causes it to evaporate. And avoid watering in the evening, said Faith Deily, general manger of Dothan Nurseries on Montgomery Highway.

“Plants stay wet overnight and it causes fungus problems,” she said.

Soaker hoses and mulch go a long way to help hydrate your yard plants this time of year, Deily said. Both annuals and perennials will do fine in the heat as long as you water properly, she said. And for new plantings, choose your size carefully.

“Go with smaller sizes rather than larger sizes,” Deily said. “They just transplant easier.”

Deily also recommended holding off on fertilizing while temperatures are as hot as they are now.

There are some plants that do well in the heat. Succulents are heat- and drought-tolerant. Deily said with current temperatures, succulents will do well if watered every three days. A flowering annual like Blue Daze likes the sun and can handle the heat as long as its watered properly.

Through Oct. 1, the City of Dothan is under an annual water conservation plan with residents at odd-numbered addresses allowed to water with sprinklers on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Residents with even-numbered addresses can water with sprinklers on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. There is no watering allowed on Mondays. However, anyone can water with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose with a cutoff nozzle any day of the week.

Nancy Walker, horticulturist with the City of Dothan, recommended people water “deep” as well as watering at the right time. Grass, she said, only needs an inch of water a week.

Even trees with established roots don’t need to be watered like new plantings.

“Any tree that’s over 3 years old, don’t bother watering,” Walker said.
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Summer garden tips
Here’s some advice from Nancy Walker, horticulturist for the City of Dothan:
* Grass needs 1 inch of water a week. Place an empty tuna can near your sprinkler as a guide. A full can of water means it’s time to move the sprinkler or stop watering.
* Water when your neighbors don’t — you’ll get better water pressure.
* Hold off on herbicide treatments until after a rain for a better result.
* Pruning larger shrubs and trees will actually take the pressure off of them during the summer heat. Azaleas need to be pruned before the end of July and before they start setting buds for next year.
* Wait until fall or winter to plant trees. They’ll require less water.
* Use a sprinkler that sprays water low to the ground, such as those that move in circles. Fan sprinklers may waste more water due to evaporation as they move upward.