Good News:  we received a decent rain in North and Central Indiana this weekend.

Bad News:  it is not enough to reverse the drought trend we have been on this past 3 and a half weeks.

Good News:  we had a lot of rain this spring, which both built up the groundwater reserves and got plants off to a good start

Bad News:  many plants are now “overcommitted”.  They are like people who have been living on a budget of plenty, who suddenly have to cut back in order to handle less resources.  Plants which overcommit get “floppy” when there is not enough water to support their oversized stems and leaves.  They will also begin to abondon some of their extra leaf mass to preserve their life.

Good News:  we have cooler than normal temperatures.

Bad News:  plants are still showing a great deal of stress.

Action Needed:  Watch your lawn and plants closely as the temperatures begin to rise, especially if higher temperatures come without rain.

Signs of stress in your lawn:  areas of dull grass, as grass blades begin to brown.  This generally happens in the same areas each year.  Often, an area will brown because it is not getting water (use a sprinkler or adjust your irrigation heads), or because the plant is shallow rooted due to something underneath the soil, like stones or construction debris.  At my place, the old abandoned septic tank is the first to show itself in a clear brown rectangle, followed by the lines which form the septic field.

Signs of stress in your landscape plants:  watch for plants to look grey or wilted.  A lot of problems can be avoided by simply opening our eyes and noticing the problems.  Look at your landscape intentionally, and apply water where it is needed.  Plants which are dropping leaves are showing a certain sign of stress, and when it is dry the culprit is easy to determine.  Underwatered plants are also more susceptible to insect and disease damage.

The way in which we water our plants matters a great deal.  Water them too frequently, and their root systems stay shallow, making them more susceptible to drought.  Water them a little too late, and the plant loses root mass, leaves, and possibly even its life.  If you must use a rule of thumb, set a regular schedule of deep, infrequent watering rather than shallow daily watering.  As the temperature rises, be proactive and increase the length of the watering cycle, rather than the number of days.

And of course, if you need help in taking care of your place, call us at Paragon.  We can help manage your landscape through a summer drought, as well as connect you to some really good irrigation companies.  Call us at 260-627-8342 if we can be of assistance to you.