Drought Stress Affecting Health of Many Plants

Man its dry!  Although it’s only mid July, most landscapes, fields, gardens, and lawns in Central Alabama resemble the conditions of late August.  One knows it is very dry when even the grass and weeds along the side of the road are dried up and not growing.  Such drought conditions and stress and no significant amount of rain in sight are really beginning to affect the health of many plants.  Many lawns, especially centipedegrass, are burnt up and almost dead due to no water in weeks. Lots of vegetable gardens are drying up or are just not growing or producing.  And even some of the trees, both small and large, are starting to suffer from the heat and dryness and begin to die.  According the National Weather Service, we are about nine inches behind for the year; most of our yearly rainfall was recorded before March 1st. We badly need some rain. 

Almost all lawns are now suffering from the “moderate” drought, despite many being watered regularly by irrigation systems.  If one wants to keep the lawn alive this summer and not lose it, then homeowners will have to water it often.  With that said, simply cutting on the irrigation system may not be enough.  The soil of many lawns are so poor, dry, baked, and compacted that water doesn’t soak in but just runs off.  To solve this dilemma, try are watering slowly and completely soaking the area. A lawn aeration will also help break up some of that compaction.

Always water the lawn very early in the morning, not daily, but rather about every other day. The lawn needs about 1½ inches of water per week. You will also want to check your irrigation system often to make sure it is working properly and is broadcasting water evenly to all areas.   

Unless one is irrigating the garden, the dry weather conditions this year has devastated the home vegetable garden. Since most vegetables are about 85-95 % water, they naturally must have adequate water to grow and develop fruit.  Without a constant source of water, they will grow much more slowly, produce fewer and smaller fruit, or just die.  Many problems, such as blossom-end-rot on tomatoes and peppers, are more prevalent during dry weather.  The best strategy against dry weather is to place mulch around all plants to conserve moisture and irrigate as much as possible.  Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are the best methods and are proven to use less water and be more effective.  

Many landscape trees are starting to show symptoms of drought stress. Shallow rooted trees, such as dogwoods and maples, may develop leaf scorch or dieback on the margins of its leaves.  Loss of water in the leaves and no water to supplement the tree results in a browning and dropping of the leaves.

Extreme dry conditions can cause dieback in the tops of trees or complete death of the entire tree.  Most native trees can be found in certain locations because they can thrive and survive the adverse growing conditions for that specific area.  Landscape trees are planted by man and very rarely are selected based on the site and, therefore, do not always get planted in the ideal spot.  For this reason, landscape trees around the home are typically already stressed from other site problems and will suffer the most during drought conditions.  Unfortunately, there is no cure or magic potion once a tree begins to decline and die. Trees are so large that watering may or may not help.  

Evening Master Gardener Course

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System will offer an EVENING Master Gardener course this fall in Sylacauga. This program trains volunteers to assist neighbors, friends, and their communities in gardening, beautification, landscape and other projects.  This regional program is open to residents of Talladega, Tallapoosa, Coosa, Clay, and surrounding counties. Master Gardener candidates will receive more than 40 hours of instruction in plant science and horticulture.  Sessions include such topics as plant physiology, soils and fertility, plant pathology, entomology, landscape design, ornamental plant materials, annuals and perennials, vegetable gardening, lawn care, house plants, home orchards, herbs and plant propagation.  To supplement the class lectures and demonstrations, each Master Gardener candidate will receive a manual and reference publications on each of the topics covered by the class.

The course will begin Thursday, August 24, 2006, and be held each Thursday until November 9, 2006.  Classes will begin at 4:30 p.m. and last until approximately 8:30 p.m. Classes will meet at the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce Building, 17 W. Fort Williams. Cost of the course is $75.  Class graduates are expected to volunteer for 40 hours of time with Extension projects related to gardening, horticulture, and the environment.  Applications for the 2006 Master Gardener class are now available at the Talladega County Extension Office in Talladega (256) 362-6187 or your local county Extension office. Please call for more information.  Applications and fees need to be received in the Talladega Extension Office no later than Thursday, August 10th.  Please make checks payable to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

For more information, contact the Tallapoosa County Extension Office at 256-825-1050 or visit us online at www.aces.edu.