Unpopular opinion: Everyone keeps overwatering their xeriscape plants along Central

I see so many new rock yards with dead penstemon or agave because folks run drip lines like it's Kentucky. The UNM extension office says most natives need zero summer water after year two. Are we just killing plants with kindness, or is a little extra actually needed in our heat?

3 comments

3 Comments

wadea532mo ago

Ever try just turning the drip off in June?

king.lisa2mo ago

Yeah, turning it off in June is the real test... I bet most of those plants would bounce back stronger if we just let them be. We're fighting their natural cycle by giving them a drink they never asked for.

danielwhite17d agoMost Upvoted

Wait, are we just supposed to give up on our tomatoes in June? @wadea53, I get what you're saying in theory but a lot of those plants have been babied all spring with drip irrigation, cutting it off cold turkey would probably shock them way worse than just letting them dry out naturally. I've seen guys in the warehouse try to "tough love" their garden stuff and it usually ends with them complaining about wilted leaves by July.