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Health & Fitness

Outlook: Droughtful

We don't think of fall as being drought time, but our trees and lawns are parched right now! They all need to be well hydrated before winter sets in.

It looks like summer may finally be turning to fall. The weather has been pleasant for the past weeks, and only light rain and “sprinkles” are in the forecast.

Though pleasant for us, our yards may be thirsty. Most of our area is currently classified by the National Weather Service as “Abnormally Dry.” While this is better than an actual drought, “abnormally dry” conditions are also easier to overlook, to the detriment of your landscape. Even though there have been localized showers, they typically haven’t produced enough water to keep your trees and plantings in top shape.

Your yard – trees, lawn, shrubs, perennials  – needs water. At this time of year, many people have already turned off and drained their sprinkler systems in anticipation of frost. Because of the warm weather, however, plants and lawns are not yet dormant. Your lawn still requires an inch or more of water per week, and will until the ground is frozen. Even when the grass becomes dormant, watering is important to its health. Also, if you have reseeded this fall, the young grass will never see spring without sufficient water.

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Shrubs and trees require deep watering as well. Evergreens especially, need to go into winter well hydrated. The freeze-thaw cycle so common in our area is hard on evergreens. During mid-winter thaws, the top of the evergreen “wakes up” and starts transpiring:  giving off water. However, the roots remain dormant in the cold earth and can’t supply the needed moisture.

In addition to giving evergreens sufficient water during the fall, I recommend an antidesiccant treatment to keep moisture from evaporating from the needles during winter. Antidesiccants are extremely safe for you and your shrubs. They are simply waxy coatings that gives an extra layer of protection to the needles, and safely wear away by spring.

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Enjoy this unusually pleasant October – and let your landscape enjoy it as well.

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