I never thought I would see so much rain in Amarillo that I would want to leave. But now I have it. Flooding, runoff in areas never before sensitive to rain, negative impacts on crops in the fields, and the inability to plant some crops are just a few of the negatives associated with days and weeks of rain. One good thing is that it fills lakes and reservoirs.
From a homeowner's perspective, the rain watered every inch of our property more than the highest quality sprinkler systems could. The soil profile fills up and additional rainfall is ineffective. Also, depending on the damage, when our inevitable summer heat goes hand-in-hand with prolonged drought, further damage to the plants is possible.
Physical problems associated with heavy rains include washing away seeds, mulch and newly planted plants, washing away soil, washing soil in unwanted places, weakening of plant roots causing trees to lean or fall over others. plants and inability to till the land.
Plant health problems that result from overwatering include oxygen starvation, rot, increased susceptibility and spread of bacterial and fungal infections, and slow or stunted growth. Stress or outright death can occur due to various conditions.
Physical problems are the easiest to solve. Transplanting, transplanting, replenishing and moving cover, soil, etc. they are relatively light. Leaning or fallen trees may just need support, but if you're unsure, call a professional to ensure the best result.
The water on earth can only be cured by mother nature by draining it. In our area, where there is a lot of clayey soil, the wilting time is longer. Plants, like humans, need oxygen to live. With an excess of water, it occupies the empty pore space between the soil particles, except for oxygen. Long periods of this damage or kill plants by damaging or rotting the roots and stems. Even shallow roots that dry out the fastest can die from overwatering.
Due to the humid conditions, bacterial and fungal diseases will develop and spread more easily, slowing the growth and flowering of plants. Fungicides will not solve the problem. They are a preventive measure that should be used before the appearance of fungi.
If we have a normal summer, plants suffering from root or stem problems may die. They cannot absorb enough nutrients and water to stay tall. The symptoms of these problems can be similar to the effects of a drought. Wilted, twisted, brown, yellow, burned, and drooping leaves are symptoms of root problems. Adding water at this time will not solve the problem.
Try to minimize stress by also maintaining moisture and not trying to stimulate growth with fertilizer. If possible, when the soil can be worked, add compost to the soil, which will help drainage and provide some nutrients. Do not walk or work on wet ground. And best of all, turn off the irrigation system and only water when the soil is dry and you need it.
This article originally appeared in the Amarillo Globe-News column: Garden Guy: Too Much Water for Plants to Survive?
