Plant Maintenance During Drought

Details

Homes & Gardens

Sunday, 10 May 2009 09:53

By Simply XQuisite

Little or no rain has been falling lately and according to the Antigua Barbuda Meteorological Office, not much is expected in the coming months leading up to summer, so we are practically facing a drought.  The Antigua Public Utilities Authority has been advising the public to conserve water, so with all this in mind, I sought the advice of a professional gardener.   

Dré of Dré’s Landscaping advises plant lovers as follows:

* Recycle water.  Use water from the washing machine or from your show or after washing dishes to water plants     and lawns.  Direct your downpipes towards your plants.

* Water plants in the early morning or in the evening so that they will have a chance to actually absorb the water well.  If watering is done during the day the heat will cause the water to evaporate quickly and the plants would not have enough of a chance to use it.

* Use mulch around and at the bed of plants to help minimize loss of moisture.

* When cutting your grass, mow high and never remove more than half of the leaf.

* Only mow your lawn when it is absolutely necessary.

* The lawn does not need unnecessary stress so do not use herbicides to kill weed.

* When mowing it is important to ensure that the mower blade is sharp.

The overall important thing, Dré says is to maintain the plants and the lawn, giving them enough water to survive and make it through the dry months, while at the same time trying to find new and innovative ways and means to conserve water.

 

• < Prev
• Next >