Southview Design Advises Minnesota Homeowners to Water Their Yards and Gardens
(PRWEB) April 30, 2015 -- Southview Design has one word of advice for anyone who cares about their landscaping. Water. Now.
“Many trees, shrubs and plants are parched and summer hasn't even started yet,” said Karen Filloon, a landscape designer with Southview Design. “We’ve had a very dry winter and an even drier spring. Your plants are very thirsty, especially if they didn’t get enough water last fall.”
This April is a far cry from last April’s abundant showers. Only about two and a half inches of rain has fallen so far this month, compared to well over six inches of rain last April. Last fall was also considerably drier than the previous fall. Put this together with the fact that we had very little snowfall this winter, and your plants are begging to be watered.
Most trees are parched as well, and Filloon advised homeowners not to prune any trees that are suffering from winter burn.
“There are no hard, fast rules to follow, except to pay attention to the plant’s condition,” Filloon said. “The best way to judge the water needs of a plant is to know the type of plants you have and observe their condition. Some are drought tolerant, require less water and can dry out before the next watering. Others require a consistently moist soil. If a plant begins to wilt, it’s a sure sign it’s getting either too little or too much water,” she said.
Filloon also said you should also understand the type of soil that’s prevalent in your yard. Sandy soil dries out quickly while clay soil retains water much longer. Finally, pay attention to where the plants are located. Plants that are on a slope will drain faster.
Water should be applied slowly and early in the day, Filloon advised. Most plants like a deep, thorough soaking followed by enough time for the soil to dry out slightly.
Mulching plants can help conserve water and minimize the need to keep plants constantly watered, Filloon said. Mulch will slow down evaporation, inhibit weeds and encourage good root growth.
Spring is also a time for planting.
Container gardening is hot trend, and it’s popular because it's manageable and easy to succeed,” Filloon said. Filloon advised gardeners to start by planting vegetables in containers. When it’s time to plant vegetables in the yard, they can be mixed in with perennials, so you don’t have to carve a plot out of your yard, she said.
She advised gardeners to first plant vegetables in containers where they can use drip irrigation to control moisture. It’s a good strategy, given our drought-like April weather.
“Many gardens fail from too much or too little water,” Filloon said.
For outdoor landscaping ideas and advice, visit http://www.southviewdesign.com.
Maria Verven, Verve P.R., http://www.verve-pr.com, +1 (612) 990-7328, [email protected]
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