Weather in the High Desert, Febuary 2015

The weather has been beautiful the past several weeks, but the reality is that we are to dry and warm. It seems impossible that we will get enough snow and rain to bring us out of a drought. This is a great time to start a sensible watering schedule that will allow you to cut your watering by a third or more and have a healthy landscape and garden.

First, get rid of any plant that is sick, dying or planted in the wrong area. This would include trees and large shrub planted to close to your home, shrubs to close together or those that have struggled. Plants that are too close together will only compete for water and nutrients now is a great time to remove some and let the others thrive.

There were 5 plants in an area where 2 would have worked, there is now 3. 

Hand Watering

     Emerging Bulbs: This is the time you will see daffodils and crocus, but not be blooming like my neighbors. Water weekly as needed and don't feed until you see a bud. As always I recommend organic nutrients from soils to fertilizers. Feeding your plants with organics will create a great relationship between the plant and the soil.

     Lawns: Start a minimal watering program now; this will help your lawn come back from dormancy easier. Once the season breaks set up your schedule by cutting back by one-third, your lawn will not die. We are in a drought and it is essential to save water everywhere we can.

Make sure to not over fertilizer, this is VERY important, I will cover this in the next blog.

     Shrubs and Trees: Just like your lawn water thoughtfully now, once a month until the system is turned on. Once April hits set up the system and cut back, they will survive.

Use fertilizer/nutrients should be used sparingly this will save water by not sending too much energy and too much growth you have to water. 

Winter Watering

The weather has given some of us a false sense of spring, but don't get fooled. Hopefully we will have more rain and snow, we desperately need it.

In the meantime watering the short rooted plants and emerging bulbs is a way to make sure they are healthy and give you those all important beautiful blooms. Check to see how wet or dry the area is, use your finger and if the tip inch or two is dry water.

Here are some simple rules:

• Water early afternoon, the soil has warmed up will let the water move into the root zone and deeper in the soil profile before the cold night-time temperatures.
• Use a water wand or a bubblier so you don’t make holes, you want to keep the roots safe from freezing temperatures.
• Drain your hose when you're finished.
• Don’t feed your plants just yet; the early spring blooms such as forsythia and daffodils would love nutrients once they set bloom. I use worm casting or an organic fertilizer for flowers.
• Mark your calendar so you know when your plants are getting moisture, I would water these plants every 10 to 14 days. 

See, pretty easy, but so important. Keep in touch and don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.

Marnie GardenCoach Reno Nevada

Watering Tip #5 Late Fall/ Winter Watering

Once you have turned off your irrigation system here is a great way to make sure your plants stay healthy though our high desert winter.

Winter Watering in the High Desert

Winter watering consists of a monthly soaking to the newly planted and established trees, as well as evergreens and larger shrubs during long periods of dry cold weather.

Here are a few things that, if incorporated into your gardening routine, will help your plants thrive.
Water when we have not had measurable 
precipitation for 3 to 4 weeks
* Water when the temperatures are 40° or above.   

* Use a soaker hose for long deep watering on your large shrubs and trees. 

* If possible, water between mid morning, and before 2:00 pm. This way the water can saturate into the soil before freezing.
* Trees, large shrubs, and newly planted material are the most important to water during the winter.
* Drain the hose to keep it from freezing

Watering Tip #2 REMOVING PLANTS

There are many reasons why plants need to be removed, they have died or about too, they may be too big for the area, or they may be a fire issue. Whatever the reason now is a great to evaluate your landscape and get those unwanted plants removed and at the same time save water.

Here are three plants I have removed for various reasons:

1. Syringa vulgaris var. alba

My lilac lived here, had it have created
shade I would have left her in. 

    This shrub was planted 8 years ago; I bought it because it was white blooming lilac. What I did not know at the time is that root weevils and there larvae love this plant, and they are the perfect host. In the early spring I would get lots of buds and then they looked as though they were burnt with a freeze, only it did not freeze. I finally figured out the problem with help from our local cooperative extension, it was root weevils. Root weevil larvae will feed on the new roots which control the new blooms. I was not willing to put a systemic chemical on the plant once a year for a bloom, so it is gone. I looked at the fact that it did not create any useful shade and it needed 14 to 17 gallons of water a week, it had to go.

2. Malus Louisa crabapple

The tree is the center is gone, it now has a nice flow. 

    This poor tree was planted in a spot when I still have a small building in the area, it looked great; once the building came down it looked as though it was in the wrong place. It also suffered a bit from the very strong winds, sometime up to 80 mph. That is why she is leaning. Once again measuring the amount of water needed to keep her healthy was my determining factor. This was not an easy decision, but I am glad she is gone. The area looks neat and has a better flow.

The tree looked great her first 2 years,
but never had fruit. I think the cold
dry winters did her in. 

3. Prunus persica Dwarf Bonanza Peach
This tree's decline was most likely due to the cold dry winters we have been experiencing. I thought I had hand watered her enough, but guess not. I had given my neighbor the same tree when her Mom passed and it too died. Sad we were looking forward to the fruit.
While checking the limbs in late April I found more that were brittle and snapped rather than the flexible limbs of a healthy tree. The water I am saving will benefit my asparagus, strawberries and lettuce.

   

Winter Watering in the High Desert

Bubblers are great for slow winter watering 

Now that winter is just around the corner and many of you have turned your water systems off it is time to talk about winter watering. 
Here you go. 

Winter watering consists of a monthly soaking to the newly planted and established trees, as well as evergreens and larger shrubs during long periods of dry cold weather. This is the best way to ensure healthy and proper plant growth. Winter watering is not just for survival, but to help your plants thrive. We see that the result of prolonged periods of dry soils in the winter months can cause injury or death to parts of the root system. Plants that have been affected can seem perfectly normal only to resume growth in the spring, but they are using their stored energy. Some plants may be weakened to the point that some or all parts will die in the late spring and summer when temperatures increase. One way to help this situation is to choose plants that are suited for our region, and have better drought tolerance abilities. How well the water moves through your soil profile is important to know for good water management. It is equally important that the plant has stored nutrients for winter use.  

Here are a few key things to remember:

      

Water wands are a great way to water effectively

·      Water when there has not been measurable precipitation  for 3 to 4 weeks

·       If possible water when the temperatures are 40° or above.

·       Try to water between mid morning, and before 2:00 pm; this way the  water can saturate into the soil before freezing.

 

Water large trees with a soaker hose, its easy.

·       Use a soaker hose for long deep watering on your large shrubs and trees.

·       Trees, large shrubs, and newly planted material are the most important to water.

·        Drain your hose when you are
through to keep it from freezing and cracking.