Drought Management

Battling Drought Conditions

The combination of a mild winter and dry spring has created challenging conditions for homeowners looking to maintain the health and appearance of their landscapes. SavATree is offering a series of tips to help bridge the gap until much needed moisture arrives.

SavATree provides the following tips and recommendations:

Trees & Shrubs:

Use a slow flowing hose at the base, allowing water to seep into soil gradually and saturate the roots.
Irrigate your trees within the “drip line” where roots are most heavily concentrated to heighten stress tolerance.
Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around trees and shrubs to retain moisture and reduce weed growth.
Add biostimulants such as Arborkelp treatment to help stimulate fibrous root development and increase the root cells’ ability to absorb water.
Perform deep root fertilization techniques to help disperse and aerate compacted soil, allowing water and oxygen to reach the root hairs where absorption takes place.
Have a professional inspect your trees and shrubs for signs of insect and disease activity.

Lawn:

Not all SavATree locations offer lawn services. Please contact your arborist to find out if your branch performs lawn care.

Water your lawn or garden longer and less frequently, preferably during the coolest part of the day.
Have your soil tested for nutrient content. Water absorption and retention increases with soil quality.
Utilize a slow-release fertilizer containing Nitrogen and Potassium that is activated by moisture. Apply it during drought so that nutrients are present when your lawn does receive water.
Revive Organic Soil Treatment (exclusively in CO)

If drought conditions persist across the country, homeowners can expect to see smaller leaf size, wilted or drooping foliage and scorching (browning) of leaves. In the case of turf grass, sustained drought conditions may lead to early dormancy which, if left unchecked, could result in insect damage, disease and potentially death of the lawn.