Watering in the hottest weather

June has just arrived and we are already expecting 100° temperatures this week, it is a bit early for this to be sure. Let’s make sure we are all clear on how to water in the high desert. Make sure you continue to water regularly, and help your plants with extra water as needed. Water you lawns in the early morning, check emitters (hope you aren’t tired of hearing that), walk your gardens and landscape checking to see if you have stressed plants.

Here is a photo of my lilac that has a ‘flagged’ leaf; it is folded like a taco shell. The leaf will do this in the cool evening and that is normal. But if you should see this during the day the plant needs to be hydrated. 

The plant does this to protect itself from the sun. This is when a quick drench with your hose is very effective.

If you plants are dropsy, same thing get them some water. It is important to know newly planted items will droop more quickly than established plants.

There are 3 ways to get more water to plants, here they are.

Hand watering: You are allowed and should be done in the early morning, or late afternoon when is cools down. Containers and edibles will benefit nicely.

Adding emitters: As you shrubs and trees grow you will want to add emitters. I recommend that when planting any tree or shrub that is in a 5 gallon or larger gets 4 emitters. Place in the clock positions, 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. The root ball is round and so should the watering.  

Changing your system: If you see that your plants are struggling regularly you can change your system to either add time or add another day to your program; you can always change it back. I am changing my system as needed during the season, welcome to the high desert! 

Weather and Watering

Watering is the number one reason why plants struggle, and then die.  We have reached the time of the year when you should be watering regularly; and there may come a time when your edible gardens and containers will need daily watering. 

Counting on rain showers is risky in the high desert.  We have experienced days of wet weather when sun was predicted and dry hot winds when there was a strong change of rain.  I have also noted differences between weather reports making this topic even more challenging. 

In this photo I am giving the area of my lawn that has dried out from the daily dry winds a short soaking. I will do this once a week as needed.  
    

Here are a few suggestions to help with proper watering.

  ●   Keep plants healthy with organic nutrients (more to follow on this)

  ●   Watch the weather and be ready to cover for the cold or the heat

  ●   Check irrigation system and emitters regularly

  ●   Water as needed, even if you have to drag a hose out

  ●   Plant in the correct sun light for the plants needs 

A simple container does a great job adding color to your garden

If you struggle choosing plants for a container you may want to back up and go with simple and fewer plants. Make sure you keep the container’s style and color in mind when choosing plants and think less, not more.

I planted in my two square matching container only using two plants and simple colors and they look perfect.

Before

As always I used Patio Plus from the Kellogg’s Garden Products, it is amazing and a great price at all the home improvement stores. I also added fish emulsion for a great organic start for a full season of color.

Containers are easy and add so much to your patio, deck or entry. Have fun and start with the best and you will be successful.

Kellogg's Garden Products

Preparing petunias for planting

Finished, note the water and nutrients ready to keep plants healthy 

Deadheading, when and why?

Many gardeners may think that (deadheading) cleaning off the spent blooms is to make your plant looks good, but little did they know that they are helping your plants bloom more. Annuals especially love to get those old blooms removed. The first thing your plant will do is set more blooms. Why? Because you did not let it go to seed. Plants are all about blooming and going to seed.

You can see that I have cut off dried blooms, but there are plenty more and there are buds all over the place.
So, clean up your blooming plants and edibles for the life of your plant.