Gardening Under Stress: How to Manage a Landscape During the Drought

Stephanie Duer, Water Conservation Coordinator, Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities

Water trees separately from lawns to ensure continued tree health during times of drought. Drought, heat, and road salt have damaged the leaves of this Norway maple.

We all know it’s hot and dry; no weathercaster needs to tell us. Just look at our yards: the lawns are golden and parched; the annuals just don’t have any zip; and even some trees are looking tattered. Water is a precious commodity and while we don’t want to waste it, we also don’t want to see our gardens shrivel and die before our eyes. But don’t despair; there are some tricks to keeping things cool in the garden without wasting water.

First, don’t worry about the lawn. While it’s true that bluegrass lawns require more water than some other turfs, it is also true that if they don’t get the water necessary to stay green, the grass protects itself by going dormant. That golden lawn isn’t dead; it’s conserving energy until the fall when shorter day lengths and cool night temperatures will bring it back to its familiar green self. Dormant bluegrass requires only 1 to 1.5 inches of water every two weeks to remain viable; dormant tall fescue requires 1 inch every two weeks.

Allowing a lawn to grow taller, between 3 to 5 inches, also helps save water as the taller grass shades the soil, reducing evaporation and conserving moisture. Also, according to Dr. Kelly Kopp, USU Extension Specialist, taller grass tends to have deeper roots, helping grass to survive longer periods without water.

Existing trees and shrubs, even ones that require regular irrigating, can survive some periods without water. Examine your shrubs and perennial flowers in the morning. After a long, hot day plants may appear limp, but that’s to be expected, by the morning they should have had time to recover. It they are looking heat-stressed, apply water, but only to the ones that need it. Signs of heat-stress are limp or curled, dull colored foliage.

Dormant or drought stressed bluegrass looks pale green or silvery. Yellowing lawn is a sign of fungus or over-watering Mow the lawn between 3 and 5 inches to conserve water and encourage deep roots.

Another water-saving trick is to mulch trees, shrubs, and flowers. Applying a 3 to 4-inch layer of mulch will help to keep the soil cool and conserve moisture. Suppressing weeds is an added benefit of a deep layer of mulch. Also, as the mulch decomposes it will improve the quality and water-holding capacity of the soil.

New trees and shrubs, those planted within the last three years, are most susceptible to damage from drought and are most in need of your attention. Until a plant is well established, regular though not necessarily frequent watering will ensure a healthy start and increase the chance that the plant can survive later with less water. New trees and shrubs need two to five gallons of water once to twice a week; new perennials need a gallon once to twice a week.

If you are planning a garden, placing plants together with similar water needs will save water in the future because you won’t have to over-water all the plants to meet the needs of a few. Also, selecting plants with less water-thirsty habits will help to reduce future water demand and you might even consider replacing water hogs with water-wise shrubs and perennials.

By taking these simple steps: watering the lawn less frequently and mowing it higher; watering trees, shrubs, and perennials only when needed; and mulching; you can keep your garden healthy and beautiful and help to save water for our children and their gardens.