North Carolina has been facing a severe drought, receiving only half an inch of rain in the month of April. As we are headed towards the planting and growing season, water consumption and plant health will be priorities for homeowners, gardeners, and landscapers in Burke County. Here are some tips you can utilize during these adverse conditions.
Lawns
- Set the mower deck to the highest recommended height for your grass. This slows growth, encourages roots to grow deeper, shades the soil, holds more moisture, and discourages weeds.
- Allow turf to remain dormant. This will ensure the least amount of stress on your lawn and reduce the need to water.
- Abide by the county's water restrictions. Water only when needed!!
Gardens
- To maintain production, ensure 1 inch of water per week.
- Remove weeds to reduce competition for water.
- Mulch 2-4 inches to help conserve moisture, reduce weeds, and maintain cooler soil temperatures.
- Remove plants that are stressed or are out of production.
Ornamentals
- Mulch 2-4 inches to help conserve moisture, reduce weeds, and maintain cooler soil temperatures.
- Determine which plants have priority for watering:
- High Priority: Trees and shrubs that were planted within the past 2 years, rare and unusual plants that are one-of-a-kind, and established trees and shrubs.
- Medium Priority: Plants that won’t survive long periods of drought conditions, including Hydrangeas, Japanese Maples, Azaleas, and Dogwoods.
- Low Priority: Annuals, existing stressed plants, and plants that you don’t want anymore.
As we head into a time of continuous drought, don’t be discouraged if you have unhealthy plants or lose plants. Use this time to make notes about which plants are doing well and which ones are not doing well. This information can be beneficial in the future and can help you determine what plants you want in your landscape. Planting plants found in our area that can withstand both dry and wet conditions will result in the best outcome. You can find the best plants for our area by using the North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.
