Kansas

We've been pretty fortunate this summer, receiving fairly timely rains for the most part. However, it is summer and Kansas and that often means periods of hot, dry, and often windy weather.

For your trees, these conditions aren't terribly favorable. This is especially true for newly planted trees and those planted within the last two to three years. They simply haven't developed enough of a root system to take in the water they need to compensate for the drying weather.

New trees need at least 10 gallons of water per week, more on sandier soils and for larger trees. Its not as simple as it sounds, though. Watering should be deep and infrequent and mulching can be a big help. Anything you can do to help water soak deeply in to the soil is preferred (evaporation is decreased and water is more available to plant roots). Consider using a bucket with a small hole in the side or a perforated soaker hose.

Regardless of method used, soil should be wet at least 12 inches deep. Use a metal rod, wooden dowel, electric fence post or something similar to check depth. Dry soil is much harder to push through than wet, so you'll be able to tell rather easily if you've penetrated deeply enough.

Don't forget to check fruit trees and vines while you're at it! When temperatures exceed 90 degrees F, fruit plants lose water quickly. When this happens, moisture is withdrawn from the fruit to supply the tree. Stress from high temperatures, along with a moisture deficit in the root environment, may cause fruit to drop or fail to increase in size. The stress may also reduce the development of fruit buds for next year's fruit crop.

Date: 7/21/05