A DRY SPRING

We have had one of the driest springs I can remember which is very unusual for the Vineyard and the Northeast. Our landscaping team has been incredibly busy trying to keep our client’s gardens hydrated.

• All the newly planted or transplanted plants need to be watered deeply1 to 2 times a week depending on whether or not we get rain. Thankfully a few nights ago we finally got a fairly good rain.

• The best rule of thumb is water once a day for the first week to get the soil good and moist around the root system. Then once a week for the first year if there is not a good rain. July and August are usually the most important months to water.

• A “deep water” depends on the precipitation rate, ie holding a hose full flow on a shrub would only need a few minutes while a sprinkler that covers a large area should run an hour as long as there is not run off.

• Morning is a good time to water because there will not be as much evaporation as when it is sunny and hot. It is a myth that watering in the heat of the day the water drops will be magnified by the sun and burn the leaves. If that were so it would happen every time there is a shower and then the sun comes out.

• A 1 to 3 inch layer of mulch helps slow down evaporation and is very beneficial for plants. The mulch also breaks down over time and becomes organic matter which helps hold moisture and nutrients.

Vineyard Gardens can help you out with your watering needs, from a basic watering service to installing an irrigation system. We’d be happy to evaluate your needs and give a quote. We do hand water especially newly planted beds or trees and shrubs.

NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO PLANT

We are still in the midst of our planting season and this is a great time for planting! All the warm season vegetables can go in now: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, beans, corn and squash. A second crop of most of the spring plants can also go in now: lettuce, arugula, carrots and beets.