Dry soil is stressing to area lawns and gardens

Thursday, November 1st 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Oklahoma's dry landscape remains dry heading into November. The Tulsa area is now twelve inches below normal rainfall for the year, and some lawns and gardens are showing signs of stress.

News on Six reporter Glenda Silvey asks for some advice from the experts. Most of us don't think about watering so often once temperatures start falling. But this is in fact a crucial time for strengthening plants for the winter and spring.

Master Gardeners say the bloom may be off most plants, but homeowners still need to remember keeping moisture in the soil. Bedding plants and lawns still need to be watered regularly, at least an inch of water a week on the lawn. Plant experts say trees were already showing signs of stress from lack of rain at summer's end, so they need particular attention. Especially evergreens, which never go dormant, so they need, continued watering.

Garden lovers say the lack of rain could spell trouble. Master Gardener, Wilma Caudle, "All plant people should be concerned because we really are behind on water and plants that bloom in the spring set their buds in late summer and fall, and if you have puny bloom in the spring, it's because there was no water in fall." And no one wants puny bloom in the spring.

So while it's still warm, expertâ€™s say take a trowel, dig into your soil and check for moisture. If it feels dry, do some heavy watering, and keep it going. Dry soil going into a freeze can cause problems for plants.