After a cool and rainy start to the season in Delaware, it has turned hot and dry. Rains have come in downpours, most of which runs off.
Keep an eye on trees and shrubs, as well as annuals, perennials, and vegetables. Newly planted trees and shrubs may take up to two or three years to become established in the landscape. Water once or twice a week, deeply, if there is no rain. Watering deeply means to apply about the equivalent of one inch of rain. A soaker hose can be run about 45 minutes, or a sprinkler about the same, depending on water output. Do not water daily. Water early in the day, so that foliage has time to dry. Foliage can be scorched by the sun and water droplets magnify the sun's rays. If foliage is wet overnight, disease can set in. Don't fertilize newly established trees and shrubs that are putting out small feeder roots, as salts can damage those new roots. Wait until fall to apply fertilizer to lawns and wait until spring to apply fertilizer to shrubs and trees.
NFG 8/12/2016
Tag: drought
Premature Leaf Drop
PREMATURE LEAF DROP is prevalent in the landscape due to dry weather. Plants are drought damaged by leaf desiccation, slowing of photosynthesis, and slowing of growth. Leaves wilt or roll, turn off-color, and drop. Conifer needles drop, current season needles may turn yellow, then brown, and are smaller. Plants in the first three years of establishment (root development) are the most susceptible to extremes in water, including too much or too little water. Drought stress predisposes plants to insects and disease. Examples of plants that do not tolerate drought include sycamore, tulip poplar, horse chestnut, sweet gum, Prunus, dogwood, maple, azalea, rhododendron, ash, pine, hemlock, Skimmia, Stewartia, Franklinia, and ground covers such as ivy and Lamium. Options for more drought tolerant plants include abelia, barberry, bayberry, birch, Malus, Amelanchier, Ginkgo, holly, lilac, some maples, ironwood, and white oak. Drought resistant conifers include Eastern red cedar, most junipers, Japanese black pine, mugo pine, Norway spruce, Colorado blue spruce and Taxus.
NFG 9/11/2015