When in drought, set priorities for watering the Indiana garden
and landscape Whew! It’s hot. Most of Indiana is in a drought.
The provisos have been in the newspaper, on television and
radio. Still, people water their lawn to make sure their green
velvet landscape retains its curb appeal. Drought conditions do
bring Indiana gardening priorities into play, including which
plants we want to protect. Take the lawn, for instance. Grass
seed or sod is cheap compared to a tree or shrub. Grass is cheap
compared to perennials and annuals, too. What makes grass
valuable is all the maintenance to keep it green, mowed and weed
free. In the world of plant priorities, drought and water
requirements, here’s a recommended order: 1. Newly planted
trees, shrubs and perennials. It is critical to these plants’
overall health, vigor and long-term survival that they get at
least an inch of rain or supplemental water every week or 10
days. Water newly planted stock at least the first year,
preferably the first three years. 2. Veg