How Much Do I Need to Water My Plants in April?

Many property owners in the Kansas City Metro Area begin maintenance on their landscapes in the early spring. However, many property owners are unsure of how much water their plants should receive in spring months like April. Your plant type, soil moisture content, and landscape needs will all play a role in determining how much water your lawn requires during the month of April.

Luckily, Doctor’s Lawn and Landscape brings more than 30 years of experience to the table as a reliable landscape maintenance service provider in the Kansas City Metro Area. You can trust our team of experts to help you create lush and thriving landscapes, all while providing you with advice, support, and lawn care tips. The health of your lawn in the summer depends heavily on your understanding of watering requirements in April.

Want help getting your lawn on the right track this spring? Call us today at 913-681-8041 to schedule your spring lawn care service.

Four Factors to Consider When Watering Your Plants in April

At Doctor’s Lawn and Landscape, we advise property owners working on their landscapes in April to keep these factors in mind before they water their plants:

1. Rainfall: Moderate rainfall during April usually decreases the requirement for additional watering.
2. Type of Soil: Clay-heavy soils hold moisture for extended periods, but sandy soils allow water to drain quickly, necessitating more frequent irrigation. The type of soil you have will impact the amount of water your landscape needs.
3. Type of Plant: Native and zone-friendly plants thrive in their natural environments with less water compared to non-native species because they are adapted to local conditions.
4. Temperatures: Soil moisture retention is affected by consistent warm days followed by cool nights. Keep an eye on temperatures to ensure you’re watering adequately.

How Does Rainfall Affect April Watering?

The Kansas City Metro Area experiences varying weather patterns in April, with constantly changing temperatures and rainfall. Although spring showers generally deliver enough moisture for plants, different plants absorb water at varying rates. Both overwatering and underwatering can cause plant stress and diseases, which result in subpar growth and poor appearance.

How Often Should You Water Different Kinds of Plants?

Maintaining correct watering practices ensures your outdoor plants remain healthy and vigorous. The watering schedule and quantity required change based on plant type, soil conditions, and climate.

• Vegetable Gardens: Vegetable gardens need around 1 to 2 inches of water weekly. Vegetable plants also need daily irrigation during heat waves to stop drought stress from developing into pest and disease problems.
• Trees and Shrubs: Successful root establishment in new trees and shrubs requires a regular watering schedule. Provide consistent, deep watering to new plants one or two times each week based on soil characteristics and current weather. Although mature trees and shrubs withstand drought better than most other plants, they still require deep watering throughout long dry spells to stay healthy.
• Perennials: Perennials develop deeper root systems, which allow them to endure drought conditions better than other plants. By watering perennials once or twice weekly, with a slow and deep approach, moisture reaches their root zone effectively.

Three Important Watering Tips for April

April weather can be unpredictable, which means that your watering techniques should be intentional and in alignment with the changing weather. Here are some helpful watering tips:

1. Water in the morning to allow moisture to soak into the soil before it can be evaporated by the sun.
2. Water at the root.
3. Use mulch to help retain moisture.

Doctor’s Lawn and Landscape holds over 30 years of experience maintaining landscapes in the Kansas City Metro Area and Lake of the Ozarks region. Contact Doctor’s Lawn and Landscape at 913-681-8041 to book professional maintenance services for your lawn and landscape.