Across the seasons, as temperatures rise and periods of drought, extreme heat, and watering restrictions become more common, the way we care for our lawns, ornamental shrubs, and trees matters more than ever. Smart watering is about more than keeping the landscape green today—it’s about developing strong, deep root systems that help plants survive tomorrow’s challenges.
By watering deeply and appropriately, improving soil conditions, choosing the right fertilizer, and preparing ahead for extreme weather, property owners can protect their landscapes while using water more efficiently.
Water Deeply to Encourage Deeper Roots
Frequent, shallow watering encourages roots to remain close to the soil surface, where they are more vulnerable to heat, drying winds, and drought. In contrast, properly timed, deeper watering encourages roots to grow farther down into the soil profile, where moisture levels are often more stable.
This principle applies to lawns, ornamental shrubs, and trees alike, although each has different watering needs.
- Lawns: Water when the grass shows signs of needing moisture, such as a bluish-gray tint or footprints that remain visible after walking across it. Apply enough water to moisten the active root zone without creating runoff.
- Ornamental shrubs: Water slowly around the root zone, allowing moisture to penetrate the soil rather than simply wetting the surface. Newly planted shrubs require more frequent attention until their roots become established.
- Trees: Water across the root zone, including the area beneath the canopy and beyond it where appropriate. Apply water slowly so it can soak into the soil instead of running off.
The goal is to wet the soil deeply enough to encourage downward root growth while allowing the soil to dry appropriately between watering events. Avoid watering on a rigid schedule without considering rainfall, soil type, plant needs, and current conditions.
Fertilize Wisely: Choose Phosphorus-Free Products Unless a Soil Test Says Otherwise
Healthy roots depend on more than water alone. They also need balanced nutrition and suitable soil conditions.
For established lawns and landscapes, choose a fertilizer that contains nitrogen and potassium but no added phosphorus unless a soil test indicates that phosphorus is needed. Phosphorus is essential for plant growth, but many established landscapes already contain adequate amounts. Applying more than necessary provides little benefit and can contribute to water pollution when nutrients reach storm drains, ponds, rivers, and other waterways.
A soil test can help determine whether additional phosphorus or other nutrients are necessary. More fertilizer is not necessarily better. Excessive nitrogen can promote rapid, weak growth and increase watering demands. Apply fertilizer at the appropriate rate and time for the plant species, and avoid application before heavy rain.
Core Aeration: Give Roots Room to Grow
Compacted soil can limit the movement of water, oxygen, and nutrients into the root zone. When water runs off the surface instead of soaking in, plants may struggle even when irrigation is frequent.
Core aeration helps address this problem by removing small plugs of soil from the lawn. These openings improve the movement of air and water into compacted soil and can create better conditions for root development.
Core aeration can be particularly useful in lawns exposed to heavy foot traffic, frequent mowing, or repeated use by people and pets.
Prepare Your Landscape for Heat Waves
Extreme heat places tremendous stress on plants. High temperatures increase water loss, while hot, dry soil can make it harder for roots to supply enough moisture to leaves and stems.
A landscape with a healthy, well-developed root system is generally better equipped to handle these conditions than one dependent on frequent, shallow irrigation.
Several practical steps can help prepare your property before temperatures climb:
Apply mulch around trees and shrubs. A suitable layer of organic mulch helps moderate soil temperature, reduce evaporation, and protect the soil surface. Keep mulch several inches away from tree trunks and shrub stems, and avoid piling it against bark.
Check irrigation systems regularly. Inspect sprinkler heads, drip emitters, timers, and valves for leaks, clogs, and uneven coverage. Repair problems before the hottest part of the season.
Water early in the morning when irrigation is permitted. Cooler conditions generally reduce evaporation and allow plants to absorb moisture before daytime heat intensifies.
Prioritize newly planted and vulnerable plants. Recently installed trees and shrubs have smaller established root systems and may need more frequent monitoring than mature, well-established plants.
Avoid unnecessary stress. Follow appropriate mowing heights for your grass species, avoid excessive pruning during heat stress, and do not apply fertilizer simply to encourage growth during extreme conditions.
Water Smarter When Restrictions Are in Place
Watering restrictions can become a reality during droughts, extreme heat, and periods of high water demand. Planning ahead makes it easier to protect your property when outdoor irrigation is limited.
Start by understanding your local watering schedule and any current restrictions. Rules can vary by municipality, water provider, season, and drought conditions, so verify the requirements that apply to your address.
A few simple practices can help stretch available water:
- Use rain sensors or smart irrigation controllers. These can prevent unnecessary watering when rainfall has already supplied adequate moisture, although they do not replace checking soil conditions and local restrictions.
- Inspect for leaks and overspray. Repair broken sprinkler heads and redirect water away from sidewalks, driveways, and streets.
- Use drip irrigation where appropriate. Drip systems can deliver water directly to shrub and tree root zones with less waste from overspray.
- Capture rainwater where permitted. Rain barrels or other suitable collection systems can provide supplemental water for ornamental plants, subject to local rules and safe-use practices.
- Maintain mulch and healthy soil. Both can help reduce evaporation and improve the effectiveness of each watering event.
If a watering ban is announced, do not assume that established landscapes can continue receiving irrigation. Follow the applicable rules and concentrate on prevention: maintain healthy roots before restrictions begin, reduce avoidable stress, and reserve any permitted supplemental watering for plants that need it most.
Established lawns may temporarily lose some green color during drought or restrictions and still recover when conditions improve. Avoid trying to maintain a perfect green appearance at the expense of water conservation.
Protect Your Investment Before the Next Drought
A landscape represents a significant investment in a property’s beauty, shade, comfort, and value. Mature trees provide shade that can help cool outdoor spaces and reduce heat exposure around buildings. Healthy shrubs and lawns contribute to curb appeal and the overall function of the property.
Replacing mature trees and established plantings can be expensive, and recovery from severe drought or heat damage can take years. Preventive care is often more effective than waiting until plants show serious decline.
The most important work happens before a heat wave or watering restriction arrives: develop deeper roots through appropriate irrigation, maintain healthy soil, use fertilizer responsibly, reduce compaction where needed, and protect root zones with mulch.
These practices will not make a landscape immune to extreme weather, but they can improve its resilience and reduce unnecessary water use.
A Smarter Landscape Starts Today
Smart watering is a long-term strategy, not a quick fix. By encouraging roots to explore deeper soil, applying only the nutrients plants need, improving lawn soil through core aeration, and preparing for heat waves and watering restrictions, property owners can build landscapes that are better equipped to withstand challenging conditions.
The result is a healthier, more water-efficient property that is better prepared for the next dry spell—and better positioned to thrive when the rains return.
Water deeply. Fertilize responsibly. Protect the roots. Plan ahead. A little preparation today can make a meaningful difference in the health and longevity of your landscape tomorrow.