Weekly Garden Tip

March 26, 2006

By Gene Joyner, Extension Agent
Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service

Dry conditions in many areas have browned out lawns and caused plants to suffer some leaf loss and it’s important during the dry spring months that you supply irrigation on a regular basis so that plants aren’t placed under stress.

For most small shrubs and flowers watering should be done every two to three days. Larger shrubs and trees can get by on about every 5 to 7 days depending on the size of the plant.

If you have a lot of container plants on a screen porch or patio or around a pool area, make sure these are watched carefully since potted plants dry out at a very fast rate during the hot time of year. Watering is dependent on the size of the pot and the size of the plant and some types of containers may have to be watered several times a week to insure that the plants don’t become water stressed.

If you have questions about watering specific types of landscape plants, you can get some valuable advice from the Palm Beach County Extension office. Dial 233-1750 in the north and central county area or 276-1260 in the south county area.

Printed literature on landscape watering can also be picked up at the County Extension Offices during normal business hours.