May Newsletter
Managing Through Drought
Managing Through Drought
Managing Through Drought — Staying Ahead This Season
As we move deeper into spring, the current drought conditions across Raleigh are beginning to impact landscape performance. With water restrictions now in place, it’s important to take a proactive approach to protect turf, plant material, and overall property appearance.
At Pope Landscape and Irrigation, we’re working closely with our clients to adjust strategies and maintain high-performing landscapes despite these conditions.
💧 Raleigh Stage 1 Water Restrictions — Key Guidelines
To conserve water, Raleigh has implemented Stage 1 Water Restrictions, which directly impact irrigation schedules.
What this means for your property:
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Sprinkler Irrigation (automatic & manual):
• Once per week
• Odd addresses: Tuesday | Even addresses: Wednesday
• Midnight – 10:00 AM -
Hose-end sprinklers:
• Same day restrictions
• 6:00–10:00 AM or 6:00–10:00 PM -
Hand-held hoses & drip irrigation:
• Allowed anytime (must be actively used) -
Irrigation wells:
• Exempt from restrictions
These measures are designed to protect long-term water supply while still allowing essential landscape care.
⚠️ Irrigation Stress Under Limited Watering
With irrigation limited to once per week, landscapes can begin to show stress quickly—especially turf and newly installed material.
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Common issues:
• Dry spots and uneven coverage
• Increased plant stress
• Reduced turf density and color -
What we’re doing:
• Auditing irrigation systems for efficiency
• Adjusting run times and zone priorities
• Focusing water on high-visibility areas
Fine-tuning systems now is critical to maintaining quality under restrictions.
🌱 Mulching During Drought — A Simple Advantage
Mulch becomes one of the most effective tools during dry conditions.
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Benefits:
• Retains soil moisture
• Reduces evaporation
• Regulates soil temperature
• Improves long-term soil health
Maintaining a consistent 2–3” mulch layer can significantly reduce watering needs and protect plant material.
✂️ Maintenance Adjustments During Drought
As part of our proactive approach, we are adjusting maintenance practices to protect turf health.
During periods of visible stress, mowing may be reduced or temporarily paused.
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Why this matters:
• Prevents further damage to stressed turf
• Reduces strain on root systems
• Allows turf to grow taller, helping shade the soil surface and reduce moisture evaporation
• Improves overall recovery potential
Our goal is to preserve long-term turf health and avoid unnecessary decline during restricted watering.
🍂 Plant Stress: Tip Burn & Freeze Damage
This year’s temperature swings have impacted plant material across the region.
We’re currently seeing:
- Tip burn on shrubs and ornamentals
- Residual freeze damage
- Delayed or uneven spring growth
Monitoring and selective maintenance will help plants recover as conditions stabilize.
🌷 Last Call: Fall Bulb Orders (Tulips)
Now is the time to start planning for next spring.
Tulip and bulb orders are being placed now, and availability becomes limited quickly.
Planning ahead ensures:
- Best selection of varieties and colors
- Stronger seasonal displays
- Smooth fall installation
- 👉 Deadline to secure tulip orders: June 1st
If you’re considering a bulb program, we recommend locking this in soon.
🎯 Community Involvement
At Pope Landscape and Irrigation, we’re proud to stay involved in the community.
We recently participated in the Operation Coming Home Clay Shoot, an organization that builds custom homes for wounded veterans and their families. It was a great event supporting an incredible cause.
We also played and sponsored the NCHBA Builders Classic, which supports the NC Home Builders Educational and Charitable Foundation—providing scholarships to students pursuing careers in construction-related fields.
Both were great events and meaningful ways to give back.
🚀 Stay Ahead This Season
From irrigation adjustments and drought response to long-term planning and enhancements, Pope Landscape and Irrigation is here to help you navigate changing conditions and keep your properties performing at a high level.
Let’s Take a Look at Your Property
If you have concerns about irrigation performance, plant health, or upcoming improvements, we’re happy to walk your site and provide recommendations.
We can also coordinate with our maintenance division on:
- Irrigation optimization
- Mulch refreshes
- Turf and plant health programs
Let us know what works best for your schedule.
