Nov 29, 2005 Weekly Water Saving Tip

Last Updated: 2005-11-28 15:26:18

Irrigation clocks should be turned off now. Water only if conditions are dry. Check the landscape for dry spots that may show up when temperatures stay above freezing and when no moisture is received. You can spot those you have not bothered to turn off their irrigation system by the ice on their sidewalks, driveways and icicles hanging on the trees. Turning off your irrigation system in freezing weather will not only save water and your landscape from freeze damage, but will reduce your liability on slip and fall accidents that can occur from the freezing conditions.

As the soil is cooling adding mulch around trees and shrubs will protect it from drying winter winds. Spread about a 3-4 inch layer around perennials, over bulb beds, shrubs and trees. However, make sure to not put the mulch right up against the trees. This can create many problems one of which makes it an ideal area for rodents to find young bark to eat while girdling the tree.

There’s not a lot of urgent work to be done in December. With this past freeze, the trees dropped a lot of leaves. So, continue in your fall cleanup. This will minimize pest and disease problems. This is a month to study your garden successes and what you would like to change. Now is the time to plan for the next growing season and what you can do to save water in your landscape. It’s a great time to look through those mail order catalogs. Many of them can be fun to review.

The weekly water saving tip is provided by Washington County Water Conservancy District. If you would like any more information please call me, Julie Breckenridge, at 673-3617.