This week on the podcast, Joanne discusses the importance of watering your trees and evergreens throughout October and November.

Topics discussed:

• This summer was the driest summer on record, with only 96 millimetres of rain
• Although 2024 had more rain, half of it came in a single storm: our rainfall patterns are inconsistent and insufficient
• By late July or early August, many people give up on watering their gardens and lawns due to the dry conditions
• Water trees, especially a the drip line rather than just the trunk, once or twice a week until the ground freezes
• Consider using tree bags for young trees to provide slow, consistent watering
• Provide winter protection for Japanese maples by staking and wrapping with burlap
• Pool owners, pay special attention to the trees surrounding your pool, as there is generally not a lot of space between the pool patio and the garden, and the trees take a lot of abuse
• While many people may not consider it their responsibility to water city trees, doing so benefits the entire community
• How to water trees effectively, including targeting the drip line and using tree bags for young trees
• Evergreens and ornamental trees need to be watered well before winter, as they may not show signs of stress until it's too late
• Be proactive in caring for your trees: the investment in water is worth it for the long-term health and beauty of the trees in your yard

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden

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Email your questions and comments to [email protected], or connect with me on my website: down2earth.ca

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Down the Garden Path Podcast

On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low maintenance as possible. 

In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide.

Get your copy today on Amazon.

Don't forget to check out Down the Garden Path on your favourite podcast app and subscribe! You can now catch the podcast on YouTube.