April Tips: The Desert Southwest
Keep up with watering. At this point in the season, it's important to pay special attention to any newly planted plants, containers, roses, and lawns. Tomatoes and globe artichokes also need consistent watering for best fruit production.
For best water use, irrigate around established plantings once the soil is dry about 6 inches below the surface. Use a screwdriver to poke a hole in soil so you can check dampness.
Consider installing a drip irrigation system for your containers. It makes watering a hands-free chore, which is a boon as temperatures climb.
Test Garden Tip: As temperatures rise, adjust irrigation timers to deliver the same amount of water more frequently. By increasing the number of days per week the system operates -- and not the number of minutes per cycle -- you'll limit runoff by delivering just the amount of water soil can absorb.
Continued on page 4: Stop Garden Pests
Related Links
