What happens if you STOP watering your garden in late summer?
It's been a dry finish to summer. Alex tells you the one thing you need to know before you waste time and water on your garden.
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Summer is coming to an end and gardeners (like me) are getting a little lazy about watering their beloved plants.
If you're not watering, you can tell yourself you're doing something good for the environment because drought conditions are slowly emerging. It's been a very dry finish to summer. Some plants may need a drink to get them through the next few weeks, while others are going to be OK.
Here's what you need to know to keep your plants alive with minimal water.
Reduce watering these plants:
Annuals & veggies in the ground
These plants have developed deep roots over the past few weeks and can tap into more moisture than earlier in the season.
Most landscape trees & shrubs
These plants and trees also have deep roots! While they may prefer a little water, a short-lived drought like this isn't going to kill them. Native plants are especially adaptable to drought since they evolved to thrive in our climate.
Your lawn
Your lawn will go dormant during a drought just like it does during our cold winters. Your lawn will not look as pretty without water, but it will stay alive and be green again when rainfall returns.
Keep an eye on these plants:
Container plants on your patio
These plants don't have the luxury of deep roots that can tap into hidden moisture. Potted plants will actually dry out even faster because they are root-bound and have less soil than earlier in the season. Less soil means less water available.
Newly installed landscaping
New trees and shrubs are under stress to begin with and don't have large root systems. They'll need an extra drink.
Autumn blooming plants
These plants are putting on their best show during this time of the year. That takes energy and some water. Just a little drink will go a long way.
September is our most comfortable month of the year, but the lower humidity levels will dry plants out faster than our muggy July days.
