By Sharon Omahen

University of Georgia

If the recent rainstorms have added a small pond to your
landscape, now is the time to protect your landscape plants.

University of Georgia extension horticulturist Bob Westerfield
says landscape plants need water to survive. But too much of a
good thing can be damaging.

Clay soils hit hardest

“We’ve had quite a bit of rain this spring and over the past
few
weeks,” he said. “Plants, especially those in heavier clay soils,
may be suffering from the effects of standing water.”

Westerfield says standing water can cause long-term harm to
landscape plants. Too much water can cause plant roots to shut
down and leaves to turn yellow.

“When there’s too much water, the leaves lack oxygen and the
roots can’t breathe,” he said.

Pull mulch away

To help your landscape plants, pull the mulch away from their
base. Once the soil dries out and is free of standing water,
replace the mulch.

Next, Westerfield suggests fertilizing the affected plants
over
the next few months to replace nitrogen that has leached
away.

Water may not be the only problem you need to address in your
landscape, he said. Although pruning is typically a winter chore,
inspect your plants and prune away any twisted or broken
branches.

“Make a pruning cut back to the branch collar, where the
branch joins the stem,” Westerfield said.
“The branches aren’t going to come back. But leaving them hanging
will create a vector for diseases.”

Check for lightning damage

Check the trees around your home for lightning damage, too. A
spiral streak down a tree trunk is a sure sign of a strike, he
said.

“With trees, you’re in a wait-and-see situation,” he
said. “Large
oak and other hardwood trees can sometimes recover, but many
pines won’t.”