Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 31, 1993 TAG: 9308310008
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LON WAGNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Likewise, if that maple tree you planted two years ago dies; if your azalea bushes die or don't bloom next spring; if those lawn mower tracks in your grass stay brown; blame it on this summer's drought.
Plant experts in the region Monday bemoaned August's lack of rain, and said the effects of this summer's dry weather could show up in yards and gardens next year.
"It seems like it almost doesn't know how to rain anymore," said Dan Henry, Roanoke's urban forester.
The latest storms to only tantalize the Roanoke area were thunderclouds that noisily rumbled to the edge of Mill Mountain on Saturday before fizzling out, and the dark clouds that moved through Monday afternoon.
Harry McIntosh, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Roanoke, said there is little hope for any significant rain soon.
"Anything other than scattered thunderstorms doesn't seem likely," McIntosh said. National Weather Service models are not predicting Hurricane Emily to bring rain to this part of the state.
So far, August in the Roanoke Valley has brought just over an inch of rain - almost 3 inches below the average for the month. August, its numbers pumped up by thunderstorms, is historically the wettest month of the year in the Roanoke Valley.
For many of the trees and shrubs that most homeowners plant, this summer's lack of rain means "stress," horticulture experts said. That stress can manifest itself differently, depending on the age of the tree.
The experts said the way the drought takes its toll follows survival-of-the-fittest laws of nature - healthy trees may just drop their leaves earlier than usual; older trees and saplings may die.
A common mistake people make during droughts is to water only young trees that were planted during the past year. Henry said the city has been watering trees that were planted two, three or even four years ago.
John Arbogast, agricultural extension agent in Roanoke, said four different problems are being brought on by the drought:
Azaleas and other shrubs are dying, because they have shallow root systems and many people assume long-established shrubs can handle the drought.
Strawberries and other plants that normally bloom in the spring may not bloom next year. "Strawberries need to begin making those tiny flower buds now," Arbogast said, "and they just won't be able to do that with the drought."
New landscape plants, meaning anything planted during the past year, may begin dying because they don't yet have an established root system.
People may be killing their shrubs by over-watering them.
"It's a good recommendation when you water trees and shrubs to soak them once a week," Arbogast said. Some people, determined to not suffer landscaping setbacks during the drought, water too often. When the soil stays wet, Arbogast said, oxygen cannot get into the ground and the roots suffocate.
Marilyn Arbogast, the city's horticulturalist and John Arbogast's wife, offered a tip for homeowners who want to know how much to water their yards.
She said shrubs and other plants should get at least an inch of water once a week. Arbogast suggested sitting an empty tuna can in the yard; when it fills up with water, turn the sprinkler off.
Finally, the experts said, don't worry too much about lawns. The fescue or bluegrass in most yards in the region may have turned brown, but the lawns should bounce back as soon as it rains.
"The grass just lays there," Marilyn Arbogast said, "and says, `No rain? Fine, I'll just go dormant.' "
by CNB