Now that summer is headed toward its usual searing peak, the rains that pelted the state regularly this spring are getting fewer and farther between. And much of the plant life around the house and garden is drooping in the withering heat. With heavy rains so recent, it may be hard to believe those lawn and garden plants are actually wilting from drought stress. But that's the case.
Most people normally wait at least a week after the last rain before they start watering.
But if you want to keep plants in peak condition, you can't wait that long. A plant starts to feel drought stress when half the water within reach of most of its roots is gone. That doesn't take as long as you might think in the heat of Georgia's summers. Turfgrasses use less, but still need around .15 to .2 inches a day. That's how much water plants need.