By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
When the weather is hot, dry and windy, your landscaping might need some extra moisture to survive.
But too much irrigation can be just as harmful as not enough, according to Holly Dickman, Hays water conservation specialist.
"It's not unusual to see plants drooping in the heat of the afternoon," Dickman said.
Before watering, you should check whether the plant or turfgrass soil is actually dry.
"Soil that is constantly saturated deprives plant roots of needed oxygen, which can lead to stressed and poorly functioning root systems. Unhealthy roots ultimately lead to unhealthy plants," Dickman explained. "You should allow soil to dry out some between waterings on established plantings.
"Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep, more drought-tolerant roots."
Watering is recommended to the following depths:
* Turfgrass: 6-8 inches
*Flowers and vegetables: 8-12 inches
*Trees and shrubs: 12-18 inches
Dickman suggested using a probe such as a long screwdriver or strong wire to check the watering depth.
"When the probe hits resistance, you have likely hit dry soil and this is the depth to which moisture has reached."