Be Water Wise

Have you heard we live in a desert? And did you know that most of us have clay soil—which would rather have water run off of it than sink into it?

By the number of yards that are watered on a daily basis, these two facts are not well known by local residents. But both affect how we should water our yards.

Currently, Saratoga Springs residents are charged a flat fee for their secondary water, and it’s fairly inexpensive. Some may take this convenient reality as a license to over water. This is not only wasteful but can harm or even kill plant material. It can also invite pests like snails and slugs and encourage the growth of mold and fungi.

So how much watering is adequate for our climate? I tell clients to use this general rule of thumb: water once a week when temperatures are below 70 degrees, twice a week up to 85 degrees, and three times a week when temperatures are 85 plus. There is rarely a need to water more often. Two exceptions would be new lawns and sandy soil.

 As far as how to water—this is equally important, especially since most of us have clay soil. When watering with spray sprinklers, water in cycles throughout your different zones. For example: seven minutes in each zone, repeated three times. This allows the water time to soak into clay soil. Roots will grow deeper; plants will be healthy.

Do not fret to see newly planted shrubs and flowers wilt in the heat. This is a natural symptom of transplanting and should resolve in three to four weeks. Additional waterings will not help. If you have mulched around the plant, simply wait and be patient. You can also make it a point to check on your plants first thing in the morning, after the plant has had a chance to cool overnight. If its appearance has improved, the plant is most likely doing well. Many more plants are killed by over watering than a lack of it.

If you have an addiction to daily watering, break it now. This will preserve a limited resource and cause your plants and lawn to form deeper, stronger root systems.