* Water lawns and gardens early in the morning to reduce evaporation. Don't wait until plants wilt to give them a drink of water. Don't water on hot, windy afternoons. You'll lose more than half of your water to evaporation.
* How do you know when your plants need water? Use the "finger test". Simply poke your finger a few inches into the soil and if its moist, don't water.
* Aerate clay soils at least once a year to help the soil retain moisture.
* Promote deep root growth in your lawn through a combination of proper watering, aerating, appropriate fertilization, thatch control and attention to lawn height. A lawn with deep roots requires less water and is more resistant to drought and disease.
* Recycle the condensation from your air conditioner or de-humidifier. Find the drain from these units and collect the water for use on plants, or extend tubing to irrigate nearby plants.
* Capture rainwater for garden use. Position any clean, watertight container under the gutter downspout to collect and store water for the garden and yard. Or use a water barrel to collect and store rainwater and suitable waste water.
* Plant in the spring or fall, when watering requirements are lower. When choosing plants, keep in mind that smaller ones require less water to become established than larger ones.
* Reduce foliar demand for water when a plant wilts. Severe wilting and foliar scorching are signs of drought stress. When a plant wilts to the point where survival is doubtful, remove the top one-third to one-half to eliminate foliar demand for water on the root system. With less top growth to support, the root system may be able to survive the dry conditions.
* Don't overfertilize. Actively growing use more water. Overfertilization leads to a landscape that can turn into a water-hog. Have your soil tested to determine your fertilizer needs. We can have your soil tested for you at the Extension office. Please call us for details.
For information on saving water in your landscape, you can access the publication, 'Xeriscape - A Guide to Developing a Water-Wise Landscape', at www.ces.uga.edu/pubcd/B1073.htm.
Billy Skaggs, Agricultural Agent
Hall County Extension Coordinator
734 East Crescent Drive
Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone:(770)531-6988
Fax: (770)531-3994
Email: [email protected]
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