WATER: A landscaping tip

I’m writing this letter to address the subject of when is the best time to water the landscape.

Pathogens are always present. They need a host, the right temperature, humidity and moisture. The longer a plant’s foliage is wet, the higher the potential for disease. Unless it’s drip irrigation, evening is the least desirable time.

A good example of why not to water in the evening is a turfgrass disease called dollar spot. This disease becomes active when the lawn gets a dry spot and gets watered late afternoon or evening. Overnight, the dry spot is now disease that looks like the lawn is dry and will progressively get worse if the lawn continues to receive late day or evening watering. So, if you see what looks like a dry spot, wait until the next morning to address it.

Please consider why the is lawn dry. Most times it’s the sprinkler system that needs adjusting. To a lesser extent, it’s a disease or insect damage.

DAN HAGUE

Horticulturist

Rathdrum