Signs of difference - E Letter
Judging from my phone calls and emails last week, everyone has retreated inside and is not even considering what is going on in lawn and garden. I can’t say that I blame you. Even some of us “born and bred in this briar patch” have been in full retreat.
I have, however, found that there are things we can learn just having a look from the comfort of our air-conditioned homes or vehicles. A view from the window into your own plant world or others that you may pass can be instructive.
For instance, have you noticed that some areas of lawn are greener than others? There can be multiple explanations and you are probably best positioned in most cases to determine the specific cause. But some possibilities come to mind:
When plants are under stress, their deficiencies become more obvious. Plants that have seemed “just fine” may have been marginal while still looking OK until excessive heat began to raise the ante. Have you noticed that some deciduous trees have begun to lose leaves already? To some extent that happens every year. We generally attribute it to some environmental stress factor such as insufficient fertility or lack of water. This year we are seeing high water demands coupled with limited amounts of rainfall. Some plants that aren’t irrigated – and even some that are – have begun to show evidence of stress. Leaves may be turning yellow. Some leaves may be falling. I’ve even noticed some trees that are dead or dying. If you recognize any of the scenarios above, then you may be recognizing what we call a microclimate – an area that is just a little different from other areas nearby. How you deal with it depends on your expectations, interest, and resources. You may decide to adjust your watering practices. You may decide to plant something different in that area. You may decide to have a comparative look at some of your soil. Or you may just be willing to take what you get and go back inside.
alcooke