HOLY HEAT INDEX BATMAN!

PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM THE SUN

Lawns

Many lawns, including bluegrass, fescues, and ryegrass, naturally go dormant (turn brown and stop growing) during periods of high heat and drought. The easiest thing to do is just let nature take its course. Once temperatures return to normal, and the lawn starts getting adequate moisture, it will green up again.

During long droughts of heat avoid mowing your lawn as well.

Trees and Shrubs

Newly-planted trees and shrubs (less than two years since planting) can be hit particularly hard by heat and drought. To keep them alive and healthy:

• Water in the morning before if possible.  Even better is watering over night which allows trees to absorb more of the water.
• Give them between two and four inches of water per week during very high temperatures (heat index above 100 degrees) and drought.
• To water, a long, slow trickle is best. This will allow the water to soak deep into the soil without running off, ensuring that the water is going to the root zone where it is needed.
• Shrubs can be misted several times per day to increase the ambient moisture -- this will prevent the foliage from drying out too much.

Your Homes Foundation

In areas where you have more clay in the soil a drought can cause movement and damage foundations.  A simple tip during long runs of drought water around your house.  The money you spend in water will be worth it compared to the $6000 - $7000 bill you could have to fix the foundation of your home.

Protecting YOU!

The CDC offers a brochure on personal safety during drought and high heat indices.
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/publications/Drought.htm