Think Summer Gardens, Think Water!
MEDIA RELEASE - Think Summer Gardens, Think Water!
Date: 8th February 2013
While summer is supposed to be the most relaxing time of year for most people, for gardeners it is often the most challenging. The lack of rain, drying out of soil and the hot sun all take their toll on lawns and gardens. Since plants are made up of 90% water it is hardly surprising that this is the most vital factor to their survival.
Irrigation Specialist Will Thorne from Think Water Auckland shares his top tips for maintaining a healthy lawn this summer:
• Lawns require around 25mm of water per week • Water alternate days to give time for the water to be absorbed • Lawns like to be watered early morning • Irrigate with pop up sprinklers in the corners and edges of lawns for head to head (complete) coverage • Lawn fertilizer will feed your lawn the nutrients it needs • A well irrigated lawn should be mowed once a week • Only trim the top 1/3rd of your lawn so it is not too short
To keep the rest of your garden looking lush and blooming throughout high summer, Will Thorne says there are five key components that must be remembered:
• The main thing to consider is the weather. It is important to keep in mind how much it has rained recently and how hot or humid it has been. • Check what type of soil you have and how moist it is. For example, clay soil can become rock hard in summer, whereas sandy soil tends to be dryer. • Take planting distances into account. A concentrated area of plants will require more water than the same sized area with only a few plants. • Make sure you consider the nature of your plants and whether they are thirsty such as citrus trees, or hardy like native grasses. • Plant maturity is also an important factor to remember as younger plants generally require lighter but more frequent watering than mature plants.
Another common problem that emerges during the warmer months is over-zealous gardeners drowning plants by over watering them. Too much water is just as bad as not enough as it can lead to disease, rot and death so it is important to water your garden in moderation. Remember, you can always water more if need be but it is near impossible to take back once you’ve watered too much.
For further advice visit the Think Water team at 217 Great South Road in Greenlane. They are happy to guide you on how best to water your gardens, bearing in mind your requirements and budget. They are also happy to visit your property and provide a free quotation to install an irrigation system.