GARDENING BY THE MOON
By: Dr. Robert E. Moon Harvest Horticulturist
If you have been one of the lucky ones that has received some beneficial rainfall these past few days, I am sure you are thankful. If you have a new landscape, your plants will benefit from this rainfall. However, the recent heat and dry conditions have been hard on new trees, shrubs, and turf. All plants respond to this heat by using more water. If you are under two day per week watering orders by the City, you will need to hand water your new trees at least one more day per week to provide needed moisture. You can turn on your hose to a low output and lay next to your trunk. Usually, abut 15 to 20 minutes per tree is all it will take to provide moisture to newly planted tree root balls. You can monitor for needed moisture by using a screwdriver to check depth of moisture. If your soil is only wet in the top 2 to 3 inches, you need to add extra moisture.
Hand watering can be a very effective way of adding extra water efficiently to your plants. You can add water only where needed without wasting a large volume of water. Focus on watering trees and shrubs first. Respond by adding extra water before plants are stressed or as soon as you see wilting leaves to prevent leaf scorch.
Turf can tolerate and recover from drought easier than your other plants but even hand watering can benefit turf if you have the patience to stand out in your yard with a water hose and provide extra water.
Good luck! There can be another 8 to 12 weeks of hot, dry weather. This is Texas!!! Hopefully, this information will help your plantings survive!