I planted a peach tree in my backyard last year and it's doing okay, but this summer has been brutal with temps hitting the mid-90s regularly. I'm worried I'm either overwatering or underwatering it. What are the signs I should look for to get the timing right?
The biggest trap is watering on a schedule instead of checking what the tree actually needs - I've seen folks drown their plants with good intentions during heat waves. Watch the leaves closely: if they start looking slightly dull or droopy even in the morning, that's your signal to water deep. One thing people miss is that mid-90s heat can bake the top inch of soil while it's still moist just below, so when you check, go deeper than most guides suggest - aim for three to four inches down to get a real read on what's happening in the root zone. If it feels crumbly and dry at that depth, give it a good soaking; if it's still cool and holds together, hold off another day or two.
Stick your finger two inches into the soil near the tree - if it feels dry at that depth, water it. During a brutal heat wave like you're dealing with, that'll probably mean watering every couple days, but the soil test beats guessing and keeps you from drowning the roots or letting them dry out.
The soil check method already mentioned is solid, but here's something that really helps in brutal heat - mulch makes a huge difference. Throw down 3-4 inches of wood chips around the base (keep it a few inches away from the trunk), and you'll cut water loss dramatically. You'll still need to water every couple days when it's that hot, but the mulch keeps the soil cooler and more consistent, which means less stress on the tree and fewer surprises. Watch the leaves too - if they start looking a bit dull or droopy even early in the morning, that's your signal the tree's thirsty and needs water that day, not tomorrow.
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