Designing For Drought: Tips and Tricks for a Lush Lawn

Have the dog days of summer left your lawn looking worse for wear? Hot, humid Ottawa summers can wreak havoc on even the most well maintained properties, especially those with non-native landscaping elements. If you're tired of the devastation that drought causes to your lawn, now is the perfect time to reinvigorate your landscaping and prepare for next year.

Drought Buster #1 – Installing an Automatic Sprinkler System

Keeping your lawn and landscaping lush is easy with an automatic sprinkler system. Simply set the weather-smart sensor and forget it! Nutri-Lawn carries a wide variety of advanced inground sprinkler systems, all of which are designed to work with Mother Nature to ensure that your property receives the perfect amount of precipitation. These high-tech sprinkler systems can be customized for both lawn and garden use, making them a great investment for both business and home owners. For more information on available models, please contact a watering system installation expert at Nutri-Lawn today.

Drought Buster #2 – Smart Design Tips

If you're considering re-landscaping your lawn this fall, make sure you spend plenty of time planning your design. The lawn sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn have found that home and business owners can save a ton on their watering bills simply by following these smart landscape design tips:

• Group thirsty plants together. This is a great way to maximize your sprinkler system as well. If you group thirsty plants together, you can then set your watering system to provide this particular portion of your lawn with slightly more water, rather than upping the amount to your entire property.
• Keep compost handy. When adding new items to your garden or lawn, make sure to add 5 to 10 centimetres of compost or mulch on top of the new roots. Mulch will help keep the garden cool and help protect your newest plants from the scorching sun. The nutrients in the mulch will also help improve the soil's structure, resulting in increased water retention.
• Don't forget about the trees! In a severe drought, make sure to water your trees first. Remember, trees can take 10-20 years to grow and they can be very expensive to replace. Trees don't bounce back from drought as quickly as a lawn can, so always be sure to monitor your trees closely for any signs of heat distress. If you're trying to decide where to plant trees in your yard, the commercial sprinkler system experts at Nutri-Lawn recommend placing deciduous trees on the south side of your property. This way, in the summer, the leaves will shade your garden and house. During the winter, bare branches will allow the warmth of the summer to hit the roof of your home.
• Even drought resistant plants need a drink. The lawn sprinkler system experts at Nutri-Lawn recommend watering drought resistant plants regularly during the first year. This will help them develop a strong root system and acclimatize them to their surroundings. These plants should be hearty enough to take care of themselves by the second year. Simply water them once or twice a month by hand during the heat of the summer.

Drought Buster #3 – Proper Maintenance is Key

Once you've planned and planted your drought-resistant landscape it's important that you take steps to ensure that it is properly maintained. This will including raising the blade on your lawnmower (a height of 6 to 7 centimetres is ideal), and scheduling regular aeration treatments. Apply a nutrient-rich organic top dressing will also help keep your lawn well fed and hydrated.

It's never too early (or too late!) to start planning a drought-resistant lawn. For more information on ways to keep your lawn hydrated during the heat of summer, contact a Nutri-Lawn commercial sprinkler system rep today.