Steps To Take To Save Your Trees
Drought Gardening Tips
In The Garden
How to protect your trees during the drought !
Trees are one of the most expensive plants in your landscape . Not just because of the replacement cost , which replacement of an established large tree can run up to $ 20,000 , but because it provides a canopy to reduce energy use by keeping you house cool during the summer , they provide wildlife habitats and produce oxygen for you family . We all need to conserve water during this drought but let ’ s not cut off our nose despite our face . Our lawn , shrubs and trees can survive with the allotted 1 to 2 times a week of water but if we just stop watering all together it ’ s going to run much more than the rebate of $ 2 a square foot in cost . Not just monetary but environmental costs as well .
Steps To Take To Save Your Trees
• Deeply irrigate your trees on the allotted days to water .
• If renovating protect major roots near the soil surface . Removal of roots should be kept to an absolute minimum .
• Trenching under the canopy of the tree should be avoided .
* Water the tree to survive ! Placing 4 drip emitters near the trunk of a mature tree is not sufficient . The irrigation should provide water throughout the root zone and extend beyond to allow for the future growth ( ideally at least two times the diameter of the tree canopy ). At a minimum , if you are putting in new irrigation make sure the drip zone covers 70 % of the tree to minimize stress .
• Remember correct water management is not just how much is applied but where it is applied .
• Mulch your landscape to help keep the moisture – 2-3 ” of bark but keep 8-10 ” around the base of the tree clear of mulch to prevent problems with fungus .
Drought Gardening Tips
• Fertilize with low nitrogen fertilizers on your lawn and garden .
• Use CAL-CM / Gypsum to help break up your ground to receive the water you are putting down .
• Mulch with 2-3 ” of bark / mulch .
• Mow your lawn at 2.5-3 ” high .
Bought to you by Garden Accents
11155 Lena Avenue • 408.846.4555 • garden-accents . net
If replacing your irrigation system don ’ t forget to do your homework , just like computer systems they have come a long way . Using Sub Surface Drip irrigations can save you up to 70 % of water on your lawn and garden !
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN JULY / AUGUST 2015 gmhtoday . com
35