When there are a series of hot days, plantings, trees and lawns easily use up the rain water that gave them a good soaking.  Here are garden watering tools recommended and used by Rosbrough Partners, Inc., a landscape design, build and maintenance company.

Watering timers - Hook up to hose, sprinklers or outdoor faucets.  Some can be set from one minute to six hours per day with up to twelve start times per day.

Long screwdriver - Use as a soil probe to test soil moisture. If you can push it easily into your lawn for several inches, don't water. Proper lawn watering can save thousands of gallons of water annually.

Soil probes - Good to check for moisture. The soil should be pinched and hold together. The soil needs air also. Too much water will drown the plant.

Watering bags - Good because they water the trees slowly so there is less run off. They are quickly filled and there is no need to turn off any water or move hoses around.

Soaker hoses - another way to slowly water plants to reduce run off. They too can be used with a timer.

Root feeder - gets water right to the root zone. Go 6-8 inches deep; go too deep and the water will miss the roots.

Hose -  Put water on a slow trickle and place by a tree.  Move to 3 or 4 spots for a good slow soaking.

Rain gauges - Place where plants are under a tree or overhang to see if there has been an inch of rain in those places.

Automatic Irrigation systems - Must be watched carefully and adjusted with the seasons and rain fall.

"Make sure you let the soil dry before watering again to keep good air circulation to the roots, it's just as important as water," states Mark Opal, Plant Health Care Manager of Libertyville based Rosborough Partners, Inc.

"All these are good to use for watering.  We use all of these methods."

Check out www.rosboroughpartners.com or call 847 549 1361 for more information.  
 

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