Tulsa Home And Garden Show Provides Answers For Drought Issues

Despite the rain, Green Country is still more brown than green. Many are looking for ways to keep their lawns lush as spring nears.

About 3,700 people visited the Home and Garden Show at the Tulsa Expo Center.

And in the Master Gardener section, one topic seems to be on everyone's mind.

"We are gonna get 110 [degrees] during the summer," Southwood fruit specialist Chase Couch said. "We're leaning more towards the junipers and hollies these days as like evergreen shrubs"

He suggests using drip irrigation instead of high-spray irrigation and watering in the early morning.

"If water sits on the leaves of a plant overnight, you encourage mold and bacteria and things of that nature."

David Land is the president of Tulsa Landscape, he suggests putting down mulch to help retain water.

"Go four or five days between watering cycles, it's much healthier for the plants," he said. "2 to 4 inches of mulch, keeping it away from the base of the tree and the base of the plant."

But Oklahoma's dry, clay soil can wreak havoc on more than just landscaping.

"It can help to water your foundation before that dry weather hits," said Shalene McGuire of Edens Structural Solutions.

McGuire said the drought has their foundation repair company booked six months in advance.

She said you can take action right now that could prevent costly future repairs.

"It doesn't always work, but you might see that it improves some," she said.

And while the simple answer may sound like watering, all three agree that when and how you water is what's important.

"Don't over water, that's kinda our tendency," Land said.

Especially this summer, when the temperatures will climb into the triple digits.

"It's a valuable resource and an expensive resource, so we wanna be wise in how we use that," Land said.