1. Helping Landscapes Recover from Drought

2. Recovering from Drought zAssess the Landscape: yWhat to look for yWhere to look zWhat to Do: yWhat to do in the short term yWhat to watch for over the long term

3. Recovering from Drought zAssess the landscape yPlants and turf yIrrigation system yNote the locations and characteristics of problem areas

4. Recovering from Drought zWhat to look for: yDead patches of grass yWilted or off-color foliage yPoor or uneven growth yDead branches or plants ySudden death of an entire tree or shrub

5. Recovering from Drought zWhere to look for damage: ymarginal species yplants improperly sited yareas where plants were particularly stressed

6. Recovering from Drought zPay close attention to “marginal” plants for the area

7. Recovering from Drought zMarginal plants for North Florida: yPlants too far south xSome Cherries (Prunus species) yPlants too far north xBottlebrush xQueen palm xBougainvillea xTropicals

8. Recovering from Drought zMarginal plants for Central Florida: yPlants too far south xDogwood xSaucer magnolia xRedbud xFringe tree yPlants too far north xTibouchina xTropicals

9. Recovering from Drought zMarginal plants for South Florida: yPlants too far south xCamellias xAzaleas xTemperate deciduous fruits (apples, pears, and most peaches, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries)

10. Recovering from Drought zPay close attention to plants that were improperly sited in the landscape Too dry Azaleas Too wet Pittosporum Too sunny Dogwood Azaleas Too shady Turf Improper soil pH Azaleas, Blueberries, Bahiagrass, and Centipedegrass on alkaline soil

11. Recovering from Drought zPay close attention to plants located in “stressful” sites yTurf and plantings close to sidewalks, roads, etc.

12. Recovering from Drought zPay close attention to plants located in “stressful” sites yPlantings where roots were confined or restricted xRaised beds xSidewalk cutouts xDense plantings xCompacted soil xParking lot islands

13. Recovering from Drought zPay close attention to plants that were particularly stressed yDrought-sensitive plants yPlants with shallow roots

14. Recovering from Drought zPay close attention to plants that were particularly stressed yRecently-planted trees, shrubs and sod yPlants that were overwatered prior to drought and water restrictions

15. Recovering from Drought zPay close attention to plants that were particularly stressed yIrrigation zones with poor uniformity

16. Recovering from Drought zWhat to look for: Surprises! ySome “drought tolerant” plants will suddenly die or show injury after rains resume (often in July/Aug.) yThese plants usually have root damage/disease that was not evident during the drought yHigh temperatures and “full” growth flushes increase transpirational water loss, and damaged root systems can’t keep up

17. Recovering from Drought zAssess the Landscape  zWhat to Do? zWhat to do in the short term zWhat to watch for over the long term

18. Recovering from Drought zWhat to Do? yReplace plants/turf? yCut back plants? yMaintain landscape as usual? yChange the irrigation system? yChange the landscape design?

19. Recovering from Drought zConsider changing the landscape design to incorporate more water-efficient features

20. Recovering from Drought zConsider changing the irrigation system yTo correct problems yTo incorporate more water-efficient features

21. Recovering from Drought zPlant replacement? yTurf: Replace the entire lawn if more than 40% of the turfgrass is dead or severely damaged yLandscape Beds: Consider replacing: xDead plants xSignificantly damaged plants xLiving, but “aesthetically-challenged”, plants

22. Recovering from Drought zPlant replacement? yReplacement may not be necessary in: xBeds that were “overplanted” at installation Removal of dead plants provides space needed for the canopies and roots of remaining plants xDamaged turf areas where turf is no longer appropriate due to shade or other factors that prevent proper growth

23. Recovering from Drought zPlant replacement? If replacing plants: yFollow the “Right Plant/Right Place” rule yConsider plants with greater drought tolerance yDon’t replace disease-killed plants with other susceptible plants

24. Recovering from Drought If replacing plants, install them properly!

25. Recovering from Drought zPlant care after a drought yRemove dead branches from trees and shrubs yPrune as needed for safety, plant health and aesthetics

26. Recovering from Drought zPlant care after a drought yFertilization Considerations: xMost established trees and shrubs don’t need fertilizer xUse iron instead of nitrogen fertilizer to green up a lawn xIf you fertilize, remember nitrogen fertilizers will stimulate growth; avoid fertilizing until plants have fully recovered and root systems have regenerated

27. Recovering from Drought zPlant care after a drought yFertilization Considerations: xFertilizer can be applied to plants needing to replace a significant portion of their canopy or to new plants that need a growth “boost” to catch up in size to older plants xMicronutrients may be applied to palms, tropical fruits and other plants showing these nutrient deficiencies

28. Recovering from Drought: Long-Term Effects zSigns of Residual Plant Stress yWater sprouts and uneven growth

29. Recovering from Drought: Long-Term Effects zSigns of Residual Plant Stress yWater sprouts/uneven growth yPests that move in on stressed plants xBorers! xAzalea leafminer xBotryosphaeria and Hypoxylon cankers xArmillaria and some other root rots

30. Recovering from Drought: Long-Term Effects zSigns of Residual Plant Stress yWater sprouts and uneven growth yPests that move in on stressed plants yNutrient deficiencies

31. Recovering from Drought: Long-Term Effects zSigns of Residual Plant Stress yWater sprouts and uneven growth yPests that move in on stressed plants yNutrient deficiencies y“Early” fall color yHeavy flowering and/or fruiting

32. Recovering from Drought: Long-Term Effects zSigns of Residual Plant Stress yWater sprouts and uneven growth yPests that move in on stressed plants yNutrient deficiencies y“Early” fall color yHeavy flowering and/or fruiting z What do do if plants exhibit these symptoms y Play “detective” to determine the cause and decide on a course of action (if the condition can be remedied)

33. Recovering from Drought zReview and Revise maintenance practices according to UF guidelines for plant health and water efficiency

34. Recovering from Drought zMulch zIrrigate and Fertilize “as needed” zUse slow-release fertilizers z Practice IPM z Mow high z Recycle yard waste zReview and Revise maintenance practices according to UF guidelines for plant health and water efficiency

35. Recovering from Drought zAssess the Landscape: yWhat to look for yWhere to look   zWhat to Do: yWhat to do in the short term yWhat to watch for over the long term

36. Helping Landscapes Recover from Drought

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

38. Developed by Gary W. Knox University of Florida/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center STP-216 “Helping Landscapes Recover from Drought”