Is your property’s landscape showing signs of summer drought stress? If you’re unsure or find yourself fielding lots of questions from your concerned residents or clients, we’re going to tell you what to look for and give you resources to manage drought stress.
Two things are most important to start with, though.
One, just because a plant or turf is turning brown, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s dead or dying. Two, it’s sometimes impossible to irrigate your way out of the harshest summer weather. Mother Nature is in charge and with extreme conditions, sometimes all we can do is be patient while adapting to these patterns.
The good news? There’s no need to panic or give up on your landscape elements that appear to be declining, wilting, or are no longer growing.
A clearer idea about summer drought stress goes a long way.
Understanding Drought Stress
Drought stress happens to plants that go long periods without sufficient water, slowing their development and harming their health. This condition can happen even when plants have access to water, but extreme heat (and other factors we’ll discuss) removes the moisture too quickly.
A plant’s natural processes get derailed when its water resources are extremely low. It’s similar to a human being dehydrated.
Extreme dehydration can be deadly to a person, but more commonly, it’s the “weak, run-down feeling” after getting just a little dehydrated. Plants feel the same and are negatively affected by drought stress in various ways, including:
- Photosynthesis disruption
- Stunted growth
- Reduced nutrient uptake
- More susceptible to pests and diseases
Your entire landscape can deteriorate during prolonged drought and it’s not just brutal heat and insufficient water. Soil type, humidity, strong winds, plant species, and level of plant establishment are factors that can worsen drought stress.
To overcome the odds that get stacked against your landscape, it’s wise to invest in drought-tolerant plants, use efficient irrigation systems, add mulch, install shade, and design landscapes with a focus on water conservation.
When Your Plants or Lawn Turn Brown
It’s always good to let your landscape provider know when you think there’s a serious problem. But it’s also good to know that many plants naturally turn brown in order to deal with:
- Drought stress
- Seasonal changes
- Sun damage
- Lack of nutrients
- Disease or pests
- Aging
- Extreme periods of heat
Plants, grasses, and trees can recover from these conditions. And to ease your residents or cleint’s minds, you can “check the pulse” of plants.
Simply look for green tissue under the bark or at a plant’s base, check for new buds, and gently bend branches (flexibility instead of snapping means the plant is likely alive). For grass, check the base for firmness.
We mentioned at the start that irrigation isn’t a miracle worker and is meant to supplement rainfall, never replace it. Again, Mother Nature has to be worked with, not fought against. Irrigation is simply meant to supplement landscapes with better timing, precision, and efficiency than random rainfall that no one can control.
As the following causes of drought stress reveal, insufficient rain and scorching temps are not the only culprits:
- Low humidity robs moisture from soil and plants
- Sandy soils (common in the Southeast and Texas) don’t retain water well
- Strong winds increase evaporation
- Intense sunlight in areas like Phoenix increases water loss
- The “urban heat island effect” puts pressure on metropolitan landscapes
All these causes of drought stress damage plants and potentially the entire landscape’s health. Weakened plants are as vulnerable as wounded prey in the wild, as insects and pathogens attack stressed plant material. Also, impaired root systems may be unable to absorb moisture properly even when water becomes available.
Ultimately, plants can die off due to drought stress. So, it’s vital to take notice.
Key Signs of Drought Stress
Visual indicators:
- Wilting and drooping leaves
- Brown or yellowing grass
- Leaf scorch or browning edges
- Premature leaf drop
- Thinning canopy
Soil indicators:
- Dry or cracked soil
- Reduced soil moisture levels
Plant growth indicators:
- Stunted growth
- Reduced blooming or fruiting
- Compare to indoor plants’ blooming
Beyond these indications, proper assessments can tell you more.
Monitoring and Assessment Techniques
Your property’s best two defenses against drought stress are routine landscape checks and comprehensive landscape care.
As for routine checks, most are simple and can ease concerns during blazing, dry summers.
The easy way to check your soil for proper moisture is to push a screwdriver into the ground. If moisture is there, the tool should go in easily (about six inches deep). When you pull it out, the soil should ideally stick to the screwdriver without being soggy. If it crumbles, the soil is too dry.
A moisture meter gives deeper insights. Do note the following things might give you a bad reading.
- Improper sensor contact with soil
- Tool isn’t calibrated
- Surface moisture alters reading
- Low battery
- High levels of soil salt
Of course, you can skip those moisture checks with a professional assessment. This saves you the trouble and avoids unreliable readings. You’ll also benefit from a professional’s soil expertise, seasonal knowledge, and their understanding of the overall landscape needs.
Now, a look at how technology and best practices help avoid drought stress.
Preventative Measures and Solutions
Water becomes even more precious during extreme heat. Drip irrigation systems ensure your plants are getting water delivered where it has the most benefit (to the base of plants). Combine that with Smart irrigation controllers that water at the optimal time of day, automatically adjust for real-time weather, and use soil readings.
Proper mulching (2-3 inches deep) is another simple way to keep the soil moist while reducing evaporation. Improving your soil quality through organic amendments is a natural technique that enhances the ground’s water retention. And the more native, drought-resistant plants you have installed, the fewer worries you’ll have about drought stress, even in the warmest climates.
Those are proactive steps. However, doing less is also part of managing summer drought issues, even though that seems counterintuitive.
- Avoid mowing and most pruning during the hottest weeks
- Only prune dead or damaged limbs
- Reduce fertilizing
- Use slow-release fertilizers
- Postpone transplanting until drought conditions end
These strategies work well for current drought problems you’re facing, but what about long-range solutions?
Long-Term Strategies for Drought Resilience
Xeriscaping is perfect for mitigating future drought problems. It isn’t just for desert climates, either. These sustainable landscaping principles are perfect for any region when the goal is conserving resources while creating a unique, thriving landscape.
Xeriscaping begins with a comprehensive plan focused on water needs, climate, and property conditions. Soil improvements ensure efficient irrigation practices pay off with enhanced water retention for mindfully selected drought-tolerant plants. Finally, mulching helps prevent evaporation and regulates soil temps, while limiting turf installation saves water, reduces fertilizer use, and minimizes maintenance.
More long-term options for managing drought:
- Group plants together according to similar water needs
- Ensure sprinkler water isn’t wasted (by landing on hardscapes)
- Use drought-tolerant grasses if turf must be used
- Utilize rain barrels or recycle greywater for irrigation if allowed
Next, you’ll want to consider climate changes.
While change is unpredictable, it’s a safe strategy to choose plant species that thrive naturally in your area. They generally require less water and care, while being more resilient to extreme weather. Investing in diverse plants can make your entire landscape more resistant to drought stress. Lastly, consider adding shade to cool down microclimates, and utilize organic fertilizers alongside integrated pest management.
Drought Stress Conclusion
Now you have some answers and new resources for residents and clients concerned about their landscape during periods of drought. Hopefully, you also have more piece of mind knowing that signs of plant or turf decline aren’t necessarily signs that they are dead. Monitoring the situation is half the battle when you know which signs to look for.
And to reiterate, please contact your Account Manager any time you feel there’s a serious problem due to extreme summer weather. At Yellowstone Landscape, we want to protect your landscape investment as much as you do.
As long as you have comprehensive care in place for your landscaping, you’re in great shape to withstand inevitable times of drought. Proper year-round care creates a landscape that’s visibly healthy when the weather cooperates. When extreme weather lingers, though? That same healthy landscape can take on a less favorable look, but is designed to survive and show off its beauty once conditions improve.
