Water Trees and Shrubs Deeply Now
Our extended period of hot dry weather has caused some trees and shrubs to develop premature yellowing or browning and dropping of leaves and needles. Trees and shrubs which do not receive irrigation when adjacent plants are watered need deep watering now. Water should be applied for a long enough time period so it reaches at least a foot into the soil.
Drip hose is an excellent method for deep watering. Drip hose applies water slowly at the soil surface so it does not run off or evaporate quickly. A drip hose can be placed around individual trees at their outer branch line or snaked around a group of shrubs. Running the water overnight will usually get water deep enough into the soil to reach tree and shrub roots.
Allen Wilson
Allen has been writing about gardening for over 30 years. He is a retired professor of Horticulture.