Water management
Poor water management is probably the biggest cause of
problems in landscape trees and shrubs. Learn the water requirements
of plants and the water-holding properties of the soil at
each location in your yard. Monitor soil moisture around
the plant's root zone and adjust irrigation according to
seasonal need. Maintain adequate but not excessive water
in the soil to ensure plant survival and good growth. Too
much or too little water damages or kills plants.
Insufficient water causes leaves to wilt, droop,
and drop. Drought-stress promotes sunburn and sunscald, shoot
and branch dieback, bark cracking, cankers, and some fungi.
Wood-boring beetle, mites, and chewing or sucking insects
may attack drought-stressed plants.
Excess water, especially near the root collar, is
a primary cause of root and crown diseases. Poor placement
of water also promotes some diseases. Splashing water spreads
fungal spores and wet foliage promotes some foliar and fruit
diseases, such as leaf spots, rusts, and brown rot.
Basin, sprinkler, and low-volume soaker or drip irrigation
systems are common in landscapes. Use low-volume drip irrigation
or minisprinklers instead of overhead sprinklers where feasible. |
A low-volume drip irrigation system
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