Years ago we completed a landscaping project for one of our neighbors. It was rainier than usual that spring, so we advised our client not to water their large oak tree. Unlike turfgrass that can handle drought and overwatering, trees are more temperamental.
We often drove past their home and admired how the tree and surrounding shrubs were progressing. Everything was filling out nicely as planned. Then late in the summer that beautiful oak tree was suddenly struggling. We rang the doorbell and were pleased to find the owners at home.
When asked how frequently they had been watering the tree, the owner replied with a surprising response. “You said not to water it,” he said. His response was unexpected, but nonetheless true.
That incident opened our eyes to the fact that some of us are more tuned into landscaping care than others. To that, we have assembled our best recommendations for ensuring your lawn and landscaping makes a smooth transition from spring to summer.
#1. Consider Drip Irrigation For Beds
A typical Oklahoma lawn can survive our toughest winters and summers. Turfgrass root systems effortlessly transition to dormancy during hot summer months when moisture is less plentiful. This protects the stored carbohydrates for fueling new growth when conditions are right for growth.
However, ornamental plantings require only push our new growth annually. Their food stores are in within the complex system of the trunk and branches. Oaks, Kentucky Coffees and other deciduous trees need to retain leaves throughout the growing season to replenish food sources for the following year’s growth.
Thus, if you are not planning to manually water your trees and shrubs, making a modest investment in drip irrigation is the way to protect that investment. Also, trees and shrubs require less water than your lawn and should be watered on separate schedules.
#2. Manually Water Hot Spots
Golf course superintendents depend on automatic irrigation systems for keeping greens and fairways thus and green. However, every course has its water challenges, areas that require supplemental hand watering.
The point is that no irrigation system is going to be 100% effective. There may be soil conditions that create hot spots, slopes that make water absorption difficult, or spots near heat-reflective surfaces like sidewalks and driveways. Whatever the challenge, be prepared to hand water when necessary.
Consider doing this early in the morning to reduce immediate evaporation and to minimize the risk of diseases from water setting overnight.
#3. Maximize Rainwater Benefits
It’s a shame to see automatic irrigation systems running during or immediately after a rainstorm. Natural water typically brings well-needed nitrogen to hungry lawns and landscape plants. If you’ve ever noticed your lawn is emerald green after a thunderstorm, this is likely the reason why.
When irrigation systems are left unchecked, these benefits are washed down the drain. Plus, plants suffer when there is too much water because waterlogged soil cannot allow oxygen to access root system. Plants suffocate and quickly decline if these conditions persist.
Nowadays, you can watch the weather and use remote devices from your cell phone to shut off the system. Easier still is to manually shut the system down when rain appears to be imminent.
#4. Lightly Cultivate Plantings Beds
Gentle cultivation of the soil can improve its structure, allowing moisture and air to better reach plant roots. This is activity is best performed after weeds have stopped spreading, typically early summer.
You only want to light break the surface of mulch with the tines of a metal rake. Avoid digging too deep so as not to damage young feeder roots that are at the surface. The objective is to open pockets for air, moisture, earthworms and other beneficial microbiota.
Landscapers refer to this practice as freshening the mulch. It gives your landscape and garden beds a cultivated appearance, something like a freshly cut lawn.
#5. Topdress Beds With Organic Mulch
Mulching landscaping beds in later springtime may be the most helpful practice for ornamental perennials, shrubs, and trees. An organic bark or similar mulch will insulate tender feeder roots and protect the entire root system from potentially damaging temperature fluctuations.
Summer is the season when woody plants are storing carbohydrate reserves. These stores will fuel the plant throughout the current season, but more importantly provide the energy for pushing out new buds next spring.
Thus, mulching is much more than a cosmetic practice. Just as fallen leaves and other decaying matter in a forest do their job, it also creates the right environment for the hundreds of biological processes that keep our landscapes healthy and beautiful.
#6. Fertilize Woody Plants Mid-Summer
This tip is last because it is technically not preparing for the spring to summer transition. However, we mention it here because some homeowners tend to excessively fertilize their landscaping plants. This stresses rather than helps plants that are already in growth mode.
The best time to fertilize woody plants is mid-summer when their growth has slowed. Use a slow-release granular product that is low in nitrogen. A relatively even mix of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium that is available for that last flush of growth when temperatures drop in early fall is what you want.
You want to avoid fertilizing in mid to late fall because encouraging growth at that time of the year also stresses plants, evergreens in particular. That late flush of needles may not harden off in time and will be burnt by drying winter winds.
#7. Enjoy Your Outdoor Living Spaces
The purpose for all of this is to make the most of your summer, spending as much time outdoors as possible. Now that you are aware of these tips, you can put them to work now to easily transition from spring to the summer you have imagined.
When the conditions are right, you can sit back and relax or invite friends over to share those moments and make new memories.
Proactive Landscaping: Helping Oklahoma Homeowners Enjoy Outdoor Living
Our top priority is creating living spaces that are right for you. We pride ourselves on working with you from concept to construction to create the right landscape for your needs. Contact us today for a free consultation to explore your next landscaping project
