Smoldering temperatures and watering restrictions do not necessarily mean a brown lawn and wilting shrubs! To help metro area residents choose their summer foliage wisely, the Cobb County–Marietta Water Authority's General Manager Roy Fowler offers the following tips to homeowners who want to take advantage of the scorching weather as part of the waterSmart program:

• Drought Intolerant? Use drought-resistant plants for spring and summer landscapes. Shrubs and trees such as Crepe Myrtle and Juniper are both attractive and tough because they flourish on very dry sites, unlike plants such as dogwoods and azaleas that are more prone to drought stress. Flowers such as lantana and purple wave petunias also thrive in dry conditions—and add beautiful color to your landscape!
   
• Analyze It! Test your soil by taking a sample to your local county extension office. The analysis will help you develop suitable improvements to encourage a strong, healthy root system, which improves the plant's ability to absorb moisture and survive drought.
   
• Got Mulch? Mulches conserve moisture by preventing evaporative water loss and maintaining an even moisture supply in the soil—reducing the need for supplemental water. Pine straw, pine-bark mini-nuggets and shredded hardwood mulch or chips are the best mulches for water conservation.
   
• The Way We Water! The way you water your plants can make all the difference. Water slowly & deeply so the soil absorbs water six to eight inches deep. Generally, an established turf area only needs an inch of water once every seven to 10 days. Over-watering will encourage shallow root growth, which causes the grass to lose its ability to survive drought and low rainfall. In addition, choosing automatic sprinkler systems with rain sensors will help prevent over-watering.

For more tips on planting in dry weather and for more information about the waterSmart program, visit www.watersmart.net.

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