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Watering lawns and landscapes important if dry conditions prevail
By Monte Hampton
Ford County Extension Agent, Agriculture
Kansas
We normally don't think of watering our lawns this time of year, but with the dry conditions and lack of snow, irrigation may be critical to keeping turf healthy for the coming year. Without snow cover, which acts as both a moisture source and turf insulator, lawns are exposed to the cold, dry weather that has prevailed for the past month or two. Under these circumstances, turf is vulnerable to desiccation, a winter version of drought stress, which can have lasting consequences if left unchecked. Even though turf is not growing now, moisture that remains in the leaves and in the soil gradually evaporates as cold, dry winds pass over the lawn surface. The tender root system of a turfgrass stand tends to remain more active than the top growth, and permanent root system damage can result if soils remain too dry. Consequences of winter desiccation injury won't be noticed until spring, but can be prevented in the meantime.
The best way to counteract the potential for injury is to periodically water the lawn as long as we are without snow cover. With winter watering, try to apply roughly one-half inch of water to help wet the soil to a four- to six-inch depth. This will help keep the soil and roots hydrated. Be sure to water only during warm spells so that the applied water can effectively soak in, rather than immediately freezing on the lawn surface. Properly targeted lawn watering can also help water trees and ornamental plantings in the landscape, which are often equally or more sensitive to winter desiccation. Finally, be sure to detach hoses after you finish watering to keep pipes from freezing when temperatures become cold again. Following these tips can help ensure healthy and attractive lawns and landscapes for the coming spring, which will be here before we know it.
With the dry and sometimes mild weather we have been having this winter, landscape plants may need some additional water to survive the winter unscathed. Newly planted trees and evergreens should be first on your list. Be sure to water all of the area from the trunk to the edge of the outermost branches (called the dripline) and not just near the trunk. Water to a depth of 8 to 12 inches. This can be checked with a metal rod, dowel or screwdriver with a long tang. Plants with a limited root system such as those near sidewalks will need to be watered more frequently than those in green areas.
For more information contact the Ford County Extension office.
Date: 1/29/04
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