KATHLEEN, Ga. — As the summer sun beats down, some grass might be screaming, "I need water."
"Literally, when we’re in 90-plus-degree weather, especially high 90s, low 100s, the water is evaporating by the time it gets to the soil," says Kyle Gore, a landscaper with Roots, Turf, and Ornamental.
So how do you keep your grass hydrated through blazing temperatures?
Gore says it’s all about making a schedule. Give your grass a nice shower in the early morning hours or late in the evening for at least 30 to 45 minutes.
You want to do that at least 3 times a week.
A machine can punch holes into lawns, something Gore says helps the yard soak up more water.
"For, air, water, and nutrients to get deeper into the soil, but it’s also allowing the species to breathe. It’d be like you walking around right now with a sweater literally tied around your neck and not having any water," says Gore.
It’s called aeration, and keeps the soil from underneath from drying up to dust.
What about the plants and shrubbery around the house?
Gore says, "They will let you know as well, when they’re thirsty and need some water."
Those pops of color around the yard can typically handle the heat, but routinely watering them keeps the vibrant flowers from swiveling up.
"Your typical roses, your gardenias, these are very common in our area resilient and can handle a drought, but if you have a small annual bed, then they’re going to need more water, like two days a week."
Gore says you can over-water plants, so do them a favor, and give them some time in between to breathe.