Expert provides watering tips for dry lawns, plants

WAUKESHA COUNTY -- With the lack of rain in southeastern Wisconsin and hot temperatures, many have noticed their lawn doesn't look so great. When it comes to watering dry lawns, some experts say it's better to be patient and wait for the rain.

Experts say grass is versatile even if it's looking brown and dry due to the lack of rain.

"Lawns have the ability to green up. They're going to survive. Trees and shrubs are not cheap things, and it's a really good idea to take care of them now, so that they can survive for years to come," Ann Wied said.

Wied is a consumer horticulture educator for the UW-Extension of Waukesha County. Wied says unlike grass, trees and shrubs do not have the ability to perk up after it rains.

"When there's not a lot of water, they don't have the reserves, the root, the depth of roots in the ground to survive a drought," Wied said.

Wied recommends watering trees and shrubs thoroughly twice a week. However, Wied advises checking with officials, as some areas are under a watering ban.

When it comes to cutting the grass, Wied advises raising the lawnmower height to three inches, saying the higher grass will act as a shield for the lawn and help it to stay greener longer.

For vegetable gardens, Wied says treat them like trees and shrubs and water them thoroughly twice a week.

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