by 505 Outside | Apr 2, 2020 | Blog, Fall, Spring, Summer, Water Conservation, Waterwise Tips
A lot of things have changed since last spring, but at least one thing is the same: April 1 is still the date on which time-of-day watering rules go into effect for Water Authority customers in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. That means sprinkler and spray irrigation is not allowed between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. from now until Oct. 31 in order to minimize losses to wind and evaporation.
Using spray irrigation during the hottest, windiest part of
the day is not efficient. Instead, water in the early morning or in the evening
when it’s cooler. Another good way to avoid water waste is by troubleshooting
your irrigation system on a regular basis to identify leaks and make sure water
is directed properly to the plants. Follow these tips for a desert friendly
yard:
- For turf, follow the Water by the Numbers program and adjust your watering schedule as the season changes: Two days per week in April and May, three days per week in the summer, and ramp down again in the fall.
- Irrigate only when your plants need it, and water them deeply rather than too frequently. Use a long screwdriver or soil probe to check soil moisture.
- Add compost to your soil to increase moisture retention and boost soil fertility.
- Mulch around plants to help retain moisture and reduce weeds.
Grow strong and healthy trees by watering infrequently, to a depth of at least 24,” in a wide area around the tree’s canopy. Many of our trees only need deep watering 1 -2 times per month (depending on the species and conditions).
by 505 Outside | Aug 2, 2018 | Blog, Planting, Planting Tips, Pollinators and Wildlife, Summer
The genus Lavandula is a favorite group of ornamental herbs native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean. These are sun-loving plants that thrive in hot weather and grow well in the West in a wide range of soils, even compost-enriched garden loams, as long as they are well drained. Heavy, poorly drained clay soils can be fatal to lavenders.
In spring, before the plants begin to show signs of new growth, cut back the old stems by one-third to
re-invigorate the plant and encourage a good show of summer flowers. Lavender plants require two to three growing seasons to reach mature size.
The two major groups of Lavenders include the English Lavenders (L. angustifolia varieties) and the Lavandins (L. x intermedia varieties), which are hybrids between English lavender and another species, Lavandula latifolia. Generally speaking, the English lavenders have the deepest flower color, while the Lavandins are taller plants with larger flowers and longer flower stems.
The English lavenders are often preferred as a source of dried flowers while the Lavandins are typically used for oil production, potpourris and lavender wands.
by 505 Outside | Aug 2, 2018 | Blog, Planting, Planting Tips, Spring, Summer
Many flowers will bloom longer or bloom again after a short rest if the spent flower stems are removed once the blossoms fade.
Wildflowers such as Penstemon may be longer-lived if the spent flower stems are removed before the plants put energy into producing seeds.
Unwanted self-sowing can also be prevented by cutting back plants after they bloom but before they form seeds.
Flowers in habitat gardens may be allowed to set seeds to provide food for wildlife and cut back after the banquet is over.
An extra deep watering or two may keep plants in bloom longer, especially if the weather has been hot and windy with little rain.
