As this summer heats up, we have already experienced many days of very high temperatures. Be ready; the month of August promises more of the same!
Unusually high temperatures. When we factor in summer’s longer daylight hours and low humidity, it becomes quite difficult to keep our gardens healthy and attractive.
Because of summer heat, we spend limited time actually working outdoors. We obviously need to concentrate on effective steps to address our landscaping needs.
We must maintain adequate moisture levels in the soil to protect the plants and roots. Therefore, non-native plants should be irrigated twice each day, for 30 minutes; native plants such as cactus, yucca and agave need just10 minutes of irrigation once a week.
Keep in mind that unlike water used in your home, outdoor water cannot be not be recycled by the Water Authority. Outdoor water wasted is water lost!
Single family homes use 46% of the water in Southern Nevada; multifamily homes use about 29%. The Southern Nevada Water Authority monitors when and how you are using water.
Excessive usage can lead to high water bills and fines for violating watering rules.
The Water Authority encourages residents to monitor water usage by providing rebates for installing “water-smart” programs to manage your irrigation needs and “strap-on” devices onto your water lines to alert you of water leaks. The devices are controlled through your cellphones.
At home, you can reduce water usage and maintain soil moisture by substituting rock mulch with organic mulch around your landscaping. Rock mulch can reach well over 160 degrees which rapidly depletes the soil of stored moisture as well as causing extensive plant and root damage and death.
During our summer months, do not fertilize anything other than palm trees! This will prevent new and tender growth from being damaged by excessive heat and sun.
Continue to “dead head” spent blooms which will encourage early fall flowering. During the summer months, when “plant stress” is prevalent, monitor for insect infestation and disease and treat promptly.
Have any gardening questions? Contact me at: Theplantwhisperer28@gmail.com
