By Heather Jensen Weekend Anchor/Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
Gail Franz spends her days among Christmas trees and azaleas at Midland Ace Hardware. It’s a contrast of winter and spring, not unlike recent weather. News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!Warm temperatures have sent some plants into bloom.
“It’s really funny,” laughs Franz, a certified plant professional. “The hostas-- which normally you cut them back to the ground in the winter-- well, they're blooming!”
But the warm air is not more than these plants can take.
“We get days like this in the wintertime,” Franz says. “The drought right now is the major concern."
It’s a major concern that should not be forgotten this winter.
“If we get a few rainy days, the drought goes off everybody's mind,” says Jennifer Davidson, Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. “Everybody thinks we have plenty of water and don't need to conserve through the winter and spring.”
Davidson has set up shop inside the hardware store to remind folks to be waterSmart. Being water-smart means using our water resources responsibly, while keeping our plants alive.
“Try to reuse rainwater,” Davidson says. “Save water that way and again mulch.”
Using mulch on your trees and shrubbery will allow you to water less; because the water does not evaporate from the soil. For your potted plants, you can use Soil Moist Crystals.
“You just mix an amount into planter. It retains water and releases it when needed,” says Davidson.
Rain barrels are also a good idea to conserve water for your thirsty greens indoors and out.
But even with water and mulch, how much damage is the late warm weather really doing to our plants?
“You don't have to worry as much about that right now as you worry when things really start to get ready to bloom like they did last Easter and then it turned so cold,” says Franz.
waterSmart Tips:
1. Water only once a week. When it hasn’t rained, a deep soaking every week will provide your plants with plenty of moisture.
2. Soak, don’t sprinkle. When you water, aim at the base of plants so more water will reach the roots.
3. Don’t water in the heat of the day. You will only lose water to evaporation.
4. Mulch! Using pine straw, bark chips or ground hardwood mulch on the roots of plants and trees helps the soil retain water.
Plants need one inch of water every seven to 10 days to stay healthy.
You can find more waterSmart tips on the Conserve Water Georgia website.
How to Make a Water Barrel
(Courtesy: Columbus Cooperative Extension)
A rain barrel is a rainwater harvesting system that may or may not be connected to a downspout from a house or building. By collecting rainwater, one can save energy, water, and money. Rain barrels also help reduce erosion and storm water run off thereby increasing water quality.
How do I set up a rain barrel at my home or office? There are two options, buy or make your own.
To create your own rain barrel, obtain:
• a sturdy barrel
• mesh screen
• plastic faucet
• steel washer
• o-ring
• plastic drain cover
• flex elbow-if applicable
Tools needed:
• drill
• 7/8” paddle bit
• 5/8” paddle bit
• Jigsaw
Step 1: Cut an opening in the top of the barrel the size of the drain cover.
Step 2: Cut a piece of mesh screen to fit under the drain. Secure the screen under the drain.
Step 3: Drill a hole at the bottom of the barrel the size of the plastic faucet.
Step 4: Place a large steel washer over the faucet threads. Slide an o-ring over the faucet threads. Place the faucet into the hold in the barrel and screw the plastic pipe onto the assembly from the inside of the barrel.
Step 5: Optional-Cut the downspout and install the flex spout.
Step 6: Optional-Paint your rain barrel using Krylon Fusion Paint.
Step 7: Use water collected for gardening purposes.
