It’s hot – check soil for moisture

Once the sun debuts for the season, Spokane County is blessed with one sun-kissed day after another. The problem is that once the sun arrives, we quickly have to prepare for the lack of water that accompanies weeks of hot, dry July and August weather. So, what is the Inland Northwestern gardener to do?

First, consider that lush green expanse you call your lawn. To discover whether your lawn has the water it needs, cut a plug about 6 inches deep and examine it. If moisture is present, reduce the amount of water you apply to your lawn. If the entire plug is dry, water deeply. During prolonged drought, reduce fertilizer; during rainfall, you can fertilize. It’s that simple.

While you watch your lawn moisture levels, simultaneously consider evaporation rates. Hot, dry and windy conditions increase evaporation. Soil types also dictate evaporation rates. Adding mulches to the soil will increase the water-holding capacity of the soil. Mulches are a great answer to discouraging weeds and to conserving moisture and helping to maintain soil temperature.

You can apply mulches any time of the year. Apply them 2 to 4 inches deep to well-watered soil. A variety of mulches is available and should be applied according to what you hope to achieve. Acid-loving plants like rhododendrons love peat moss mulch while mulching bark is an excellent composition for flower and shrub beds.

Other strategies for reducing water loss include tilling the vegetable garden as deeply as possible and adding organic matter such as well-rotted manure or ground bark.

The secret to water conservation in the vegetable garden is to water slowly, deeply and less often. Consider using a drip or trickle irrigation system. Water the garden early in the morning and late in the evening when temperatures are cooler and humidity is higher. Plant vegetable plants closer to reduce evaporation from the soil surface and reduce the amount of water needed.

By understanding the type of soil you have and its water-holding capacity, adding organic matter to increase that capacity, tilling soil deeply in preparation for new plantings and slowly watering, your gardens and landscapes will not only survive the heat of July and August, but will thrive.