Combating drought stress to plants, trees, and grass

Stressed yews                                           Red Maples need more water                Too much mulch

by Denise Whitney and Ann Wolski
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Even though we saw a deluge of rain showers recently, it had been an abnormally dry September and plants are stressing from a lack of water. After a couple of years in a row, the lack of water is adding up to create even more problems for plants, trees, and grass.

Deciduous plants such as maples, sweetgum, and oaks, show water stress by dropping leaves, turning colors early, or dying from the top down.

Evergreens are especially affected by drought.  One day they are green and healthy, the next day they are dead.

Drought conditions can severely affect the health of a lawn. Signs of drought include discoloration, blade curling and wilting, thinning and patchiness, slow or no grass growth, weed growth, dry crunchy grass, visible footprints on the lawn, and cracked soil.

Stressed plants are more susceptible to insects, diseases and other traumas like heat. They will not thrive. With this year being so hot and dry, foliage is extra stressed. Watering now is the best way to help them out.

Knowing the plant’s characteristics, hopefully, ensures that they will be watered properly. Watering needs to be done so that it reaches the root ball on new plants. Feeder roots are usually in the top 18” of soil. Plants that like moist soils will need more than plants that like well-drained soils. Over watering is just as bad as no water!

Right now, all plants need water. Water enough to go through the turf and mulch to reach the roots. Water at the drip edge of the plants where the feeder roots are. The drip edge is the area at the ends of the branches. Do not forget to water under the plant to ensure good coverage.

Evergreens are especially at risk of losing moisture as they constantly transpire throughout the winter. While deciduous plants drop their leaves, evergreens do not drop their needles, so they are always losing moisture. Evergreens are also likely to suffer winter burn if they are too dry. Evergreens can be watered throughout the winter months if the ground is not frozen. Evergreens should be mulched by applying mulch rings around the tree. The rings should be at least 3 feet in diameter and 2-3 inches deep. Leave a 2-3 inches space between the base of the trunk and the inner mulch ring. Trees need to breathe.

If turfgrass is not growing due to drought conditions, the lawn should be mowed less frequently. Never cut more than the top 1/3 of the grass and leave the clippings on the lawn to return vital moisture and nutrition to the soil.  Allow the grass to go a bit brown, irrigating as needed which is preferable. No need to water to saturation and trying to keep a perfectly green lawn. One inch of water a week will keep the grass from going dormant.
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Even with the rain remnants of Hurricane Helene, Indiana is still in a state of dryness. Significant precipitation is not predicted for the near future, making proper watering techniques and overall correct plant care essential.