To water or not to water... Check out the weather forecast to know.

Carbohydrates produced from photosynthesis provide energy for all plant growth and maintenance. When air temperatures are favorable for plant growth, lack of soil?moisture is the limiting factor for photosynthesis. Plant growth is reduced or delayed when the green leaf area is removed, or soil moisture limits the amount of carbohydrates produced.?

Many homeowners and property managers wonder whether they should regularly water their dry lawns and annuals during a drought. During a dry season, many lawns will show initial symptoms of drought. As grass loses water, its leaves become less rigid and wilt; in this stage, the grass stays flat after it is stepped on rather than "bouncing back. “Annuals show stress also in much the same way. Wilting leaves are a sure sign of stress, but before that happens, we can see the plant is stressed if it loses its shine on the leaves.

The most tell-tale signs of drought stress, however, are the crunchy tan or brown leaves of grass that have entered dormancy; the plant is still alive, but the leaves dry up and die. This helps the plant conserve water and survive a drought. Drought stress is most noticeable on slopes and lawns established on shallow or poor soil. "To keep your lawn green during hot and dry periods, at least 1 inch of water must be applied weekly. Annuals need supplemental watering also during times of low rainfall and prefer to have the top 2-3” of soil moist.

Other weather factors to consider are sunshine, heat, and wind. The soil will lose less moisture if the sky is overcast, but on sunny hot days, the soil can bake. The wind is an often-overlooked element, but it can desiccate leaves and even dry the soil.?Plants in windy locations, including on rooftops and near roads, may need more water than plants in sheltered locations. This elevated water need is also present in pots and planters.

Need help watering? Let SBC Outdoor Services come to the rescue. We offer water truck services for annuals, newly installed trees and plants, and sod. For more detail, contact us. We are here because we C.A.R.E. Don’t let your summer annuals dry out and die. Call today.

SBC Outdoor Services – Art Ditzel 484-587-6417