Coping with Drought in the Landscape

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Coping with Drought Considerations: zIrrigation Priorities/Practices zCultural Practices zPest Management zSpecific Practices for Turf zSpecific Practices for Bedding Plants, Shrubs and Trees zDRASTIC MEASURES!

Coping with Drought zIrrigation Priorities yIrrigate highly visible and intensively managed areas first

Coping with Drought zIrrigation Priorities yDrought sensitive plants should have high priority, but turf should have lower priority since turf is less costly to replace

Coping with Drought zIrrigation Practices yWater when irrigation restrictions allow, or early in the morning yIrrigate deeply at long intervals (to thoroughly moisten the root zone) rather than frequent, shallow waterings

Coping with Drought zIrrigation Practices yInstall a rain shut-off device on permanent irrigation systems, or check to make sure the existing device works properly and is not blocked by vegetation or structures

Coping with Drought zIrrigation Practices yExamine the irrigation system to check for clogging and repair leaks

Coping with Drought zCultural Practices yAvoid practices that stimulate growth xDon't fertilize xAvoid routine pruning

Coping with Drought zPest Management yKeep weeds under control (weeds compete for water!) yWatch for insect and disease problems (spider mites, borers, powdery mildew, vascular wilts)

Coping with Drought: Specific Practices for Turf zIrrigate turf only after signs of wilting zStop irrigating Bahiagrass and allow it to go dormant

Coping with Drought: Specific Practices for Turf zRaise the cutting height of turf zMow less frequently zKeep the mower blade sharp!

Specific Practices for Bedding Plants, Shrubs and Trees zAdd mulch to beds so that the final depth is 2 to 3 inches after settling

Specific Practices for Bedding Plants, Shrubs and Trees zEnlarge beds to reduce tree/shrub root competition from grass

Specific Practices for Bedding Plants, Shrubs and Trees zAvoid using overhead sprinklers for shrub and flower beds (about 65% of overhead irrigation can be wasted by evaporation and wind dispersal)

Specific Practices for Bedding Plants, Shrubs and Trees zConsider installing a micro-irrigation system (these are often exempt from irrigation restrictions)

Specific Practices for Bedding Plants, Shrubs and Trees zIrrigate trees and shrubs ONLY after they start to wilt zWatch “Indicator Plants” for signs of wilting: yAzalea yGardenia yHydrangea yDogwood yHibiscus yImpatiens yJapanese maple yTrumpet tree (Datura)

Coping with Drought: DRASTIC MEASURES! zOnly irrigate plants upon severe wilting zRemove weak or less desirable plants

Coping with Drought: DRASTIC MEASURES! zThin dense beds of plants (i.e., remove every other plant) zPrune woody plants severely to reduce leaf area

Coping with Drought: DRASTIC MEASURES! zApply chemical wetting agents to areas of the landscape where the soil has become hydrophobic (water runs off rather than is absorbed by soil)

Coping with Drought: Summary zIrrigate highly visible areas and drought- sensitive plants first zWater when legal but irrigate deeply zUse a rain shut-off device and check/repair the irrigation system zAvoid practices that stimulate growth zKeep weeds under control and watch for pests

Coping with Drought: Summary zIrrigate turf, shrubs and trees only after wilting (watch indicator plants) zRaise the mowing height zMow less frequently with a sharp blade zStop irrigating bahiagrass zEnlarge beds and add mulch zAvoid using overhead sprinklers zInstall a micro-irrigation system

Coping with Drought: DRASTIC MEASURES! Summary zOnly irrigate plants upon severe wilting zRemove weak plants zThin dense beds of plants zPrune severely to reduce leaf area zApply chemical wetting agents

Coping with Drought in the Landscape

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences North Florida Research and Education Center - Quincy and Monticello

Developed by Gary W. Knox University of Florida/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center STP-204 “Coping with Drought in the Landscape”