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It’s summertime in Atlanta, and the living is…hot! As homeowners are anxious to
protect their yards from the elements – and protect their wallets from sky-high
water bills – Pike Nurseries offers expert tips on smart watering. Most
homeowners actually overwater their lawn and garden. Experienced green thumbers
and budding landscapers alike can take the guesswork out of gardening with
waterwise gardening, and make their luxe summer lawns the envy of the
neighborhood.
Waterwise
Tip #1: Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation
· Water
between the hours of 6:00 – 10:00 a.m.
· This
will cut evaporation, saving you money and conserving water.
Waterwise
Tip #2: Switch from overhead sprinklers to soaker hoses
· Soaker
hoses conserve water by dripping water right to the roots of the plant.
· Snake
the soaker hose throughout the garden placing it about a foot away from the base
of shrubs.
Waterwise
Tip #3: Adjust timers on automatic sprinklers
· Most
sprinklers are programmed to water too often. Set your timer to water longer for
a deep watering
· You
want to water until right before you start to see run off
· If
plants show signs of stress such as wilting or yellowing add another watering to
your schedule
Waterwise
Tip #4:
Use water wands with a trigger
· When
watering container gardens, hanging baskets or other small areas use a water
wand with a trigger.
· Allows
you to water only the plants and not the pavement or ground between plants.
· Make
sure to water each plant thoroughly so water penetrates to the root system.
Waterwise
Tip #5:
Reduce lawn watering
· Most
homeowners water their lawns too much. Reduce your total watering by as much as
50% - lawn will be healthier and just as lush and green.
· This
may mean skipping one lawn watering each week.
· Never
restart the entire automatic watering cycle to water a dry patch - select the
appropriate station and run manually.
Waterwise
Tip #6: Mulch to conserve soil moisture
· Using
mulch in your
garden reduces weed germination, retains moisture and reduces the need for
watering.
· There
are a variety of mulches to fit any look:
o
Cedar
Mulch
o
Colored
Mulch
o
Pine
Bark
Waterwise
Tip #7: Adjust watering seasonally
· Adjust
the time and frequency of automatic sprinklers seasonally
· Turn
automatic sprinkler system off during rainy
periods.
|
Plant
Type
|
Watering
Time
|
|
Small Shrubs
(4 feet or less in height) |
One minute/5
gallons
|
|
Large Shrubs
(4 feet or taller) |
Increase watering time by 15 seconds
for each foot of height
|
|
Trees
|
Apply 2 gallons for every inch of
trunk diameter (measure 4.5 feet above the
ground)
|
|
Flowers
|
5 Gallons of water per 10 square
feet/1 minute at medium pressure
|
ABOUT PIKE NURSERIES
Ever committed to its
customers’ gardening success, Pike Nurseries takes pride in taking the guesswork
out of gardening. Offering superior knowledge, quality and selection in a
friendly, caring environment, Pike Nurseries has been an Atlanta icon for over
50 years. Founded in 1958 by Pete Pike, its ability to adapt to market
conditions and community needs has made it a respected Southern institution. As
Atlanta’s oldest garden chain, Pike Nurseries has 16 retail locations in the
Atlanta, GA, Greensboro, GA and Charlotte, NC areas and employs the most
certified garden experts. Now led by CEO Mike Kunce, Pike Nurseries looks
forward to continued growth as it keeps Georgia and North Carolina beautiful,
one landscape at a time.
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