Watering your plants in the Hottest Summer Ever

It's been hotter earlier than usual in Austin this year and we've noticed as we walk through yards that plants or grass that were planted within the last two years are struggling with this early heat wave.

If your landscaping was installed in within the last two years, your plants and sod will require some extra water and attention, whether that means adding more time to your irrigation watering schedule, or just getting out into your yard with the hose.

Water restrictions are currently in place and your watering days can be found at this link:

https://www.austintexas.gov/department/find-your-watering-day

The following are allowed at any time on any day of the week:

  • Watering with drip irrigation, a hand-held hose or a refillable container

  • Watering trees with a Treegator®, soaker hose or automatic tree bubbler

  • Watering vegetable gardens with a soaker hose

Here are our tips for watering:

Watering:

Water is the most important factor in a thriving garden. Even “drought tolerant” new plants need far more water now, and for their first summer, than they will once established.

PLANT CARE:
You will need to be the most vigilant for the first 2 months, and continue to check your plants frequently for the first year - especially the first Summer.

Under-watering and over-watering are both stressful for your new plants.

The best way to determine if your plants are getting the right amount of water is to test a few areas. 

Test the wetness of your garden: pull back your gravel, river rock or mulch and place your finger about 1.5 " into the soil. It should feel damp like a wrung out sponge - not soggy or powdery dry.This is a good way to get to know your garden.You’ll learn which areas dry out quickly and which areas stay soggy. 

SOD CARE:

Your sod will need frequent watering when temperatures are high.

You will need to be the most vigilant for the first 2 months, and keep a close watch for the first year or two. Your sod will also require very frequent watering its first Summer - don’t worry, it will require much less attention in subsequent summers.

The best way to determine if your sod is receiving the correct amount of water is to test a few areas in your lawn.This should be done every day or every other day depending on your site conditions and the weather.

All elements of weather affect the moisture in your garden: wind, sun, rain, temperature, etc. It is important to take a look at your yard often and check the weather, in order to water or set your irrigation system for the time of year. It will also help you catch possible malfunctions of the system.

Test the wetness of your sod: place your finger about 1/2" below soil. It should feel damp like a wrung out sponge - not soggy or powdery dry. 

***For hand watering, we advise counting to twelve while "waggling" the water from the hose over a plant, garden area or lawn area and then moving on to the next plant or area and repeating!