You Ask – Mike Answers!
Ask our Head Grower, Mike Hicks, all of your burning planty questions.
The question below was emailed to us last month:
Hi Mike,
What a crazy year in the garden! How much water should I be giving my outdoor plants?
Mike says:
It’s been a scorching summer in the Pacific Northwest, and there’s no doubt our gardens are feeling it. Plus, with the unrelenting heat and humidity of August in full swing, it’s more important than ever to keep the water flowing. It’s estimated that even established perennial beds need approximately 1″ of water each week to stay healthy and hydrated until the very end of the season. If you’re concerned about water usage, here are a few tips that can help preserve this precious commodity:
- Trade in your oscillating sprinkler for a soaker hose or drip irrigation system.
- Pick up a rain gauge to determine just how much moisture you received when it does rain.
- Get to know the different water needs of your plants.
- Mulch your garden beds with leaf or bark mulch to help lock in moisture.
- Install a rain barrel (or two!) to collect rainwater for watering plants.
- Position your watering devices and downspouts in a way that reduces runoff into storm gutters, walkways, or the street.
Mike is Frond of These
Albuca ‘Frizzle Sizzle’
Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’
Mangave ‘Black Magic’ PPAF