Gardening SOS

[liriodendron]

So, let's suppose that someone had managed to insufficiently water 4 little boxwoods at the side of someone else's house. And let's suppose that these boxwoods were looking a little droopy and parched, especially when compared to the other boxwoods in the yard. Would some extra watering today make up for this oversight? And is there anything else you'd recommend that would bring them back to life in, oh, say the next three days (short of running to the nursery for replacements)?

I'm speaking hypothetically, of course.

[gailkate]

Alas, poor Lirio! Thou hast a mean and guilty look. (fractured Shakespeare)
I'd water the bejeebers out of those little guys. You could also call a local nursery. Are you trying to do this w/o your sister knowing? Doesn't she go outside? confession is good for the soul and might be best for the boxwoods, since she knows her climate best.

A slow trickle from the hose (set it on a brick or something so it doesn't gouge a hole) on each plant. At least 1/2 hour per bush. Not so the ground starts looking soggy; you want a good deep soak. But you also don't want water in that someone else's basement , so slow and gentle.

[jspnrvr]

I think gail has it about right, hypothetically, of course. 'Specially that part about the hypothetical nursery.

[doctork]

And you also have to be careful about the water police! When we lived in Denver, it was a $50 fine for watering on the wrong day. It was really bad when the "every third day" watering was the same as my "every third night on call." Nothing got watered for the whole month, and the yard looked like a desert. Only worse, because it was supposed to be green, not a desert.

But you know, when you go to those places that are green? Well guess what? It rains all the time, that is how the place stays green! Horrors. I think I'd rather have xeriscape and 320 days per year of sunshine!

[liriodendron]

I actually saw a water police car when I went to the grocery store the other day. They are allowed to water three days per week, but I don't think it matters which one. I sure hope not, since I've been doing it as time permits. Those restrictions only apply to sprinklers, soaker hoses, etc. You are allowed to take your hand held hose or watering can and water as you need. I dump a bucket on the boxwoods in the planters on the 2nd floor "deck" (the flat roof over the first floor powder room) whenever I think of it. They seem to be doing fine. And I try to remember to hit the herbs outside the kitchen door regularly. But the boxwoods on the side of the house are in a sort of no man's land. It's just a narrow sidewalk and this tiny area with the plants. I don't walk out there very often and, well, out of sight, out of mind.

Your hose laid next to the plants sounds great, gk, but I could only do that on Saturday morning (when I am giving my brother-in-law a watering lesson). I've already watered twice this week. The nice lady at the farmer's market (some gardening society had an information booth) suggested Epsom salts mixed into the soil near the roots of the plants. I'm not sure I have time for that.

So far my sister hasn't made it out the door. I'll probably have to fess up at some point. Either that or let my brother-in-law take the fall. Hmmmmmmmm...

[doctork]

Always the best defense! SODDI

(Some Other Dude Did It)