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.