The Threat of Dryness Lingers in DC, Virginia and Maryland (Even With Record Setting Rainfall)

Don’t let the recent DC area flooding fool you.

Your plants still need water. 

Yes, a month’s worth of rain deluged the D.C. area in one day earlier this month, dumping four inches of water in just one hour.

Major roads looked like rivers. Creeks rose a crazy 10 feet, fast. People were stranded in their vehicles. Streets sprouted massive sinkholes.

And we’re telling you to water your plants?

That’s right. Here’s why.

That Water Runs Right Off 

A flash flood of four inches of rain doesn’t mean your plants will get four inches. More like a half inch, or less.

When it rains that fast, soil can’t absorb it fast enough. Most of that nourishing water runs right off into nearby waterways. 

Your plants remain thirsty, despite the torrential downpour. 

Rooftop Planters Need Extra Attention 

Rooftop planters are more popular than ever, as more DC properties turn their roofs into trendy, usable outdoor entertaining spots and restful gardens.

Planters on rooftops are closer to the sun and get buffeted by more wind than plants at ground level. 

That means they dry out remarkably fast. 

They need watering more often than the planters outside your front entrance or on your ground level courtyard. 

Planters Are Tricky

Planters are often tucked under rooflines or eaves, so they don’t get the water they need, even when it rains. 

There may be puddles on your property, but the flowers and plants in your pots are still thirsty. 

It Always Dries Up

The few days following the recent downpour were sunny, with temperatures in the low 90s.

It doesn’t take long for things to dry up and dry out.

Spiio To The Rescue

New soil moisture technology makes it easier than ever to tell exactly when those planters need water.

We use technology from Spiio to tell us exactly when flowers and plants need water. And, when they don’t.

Sensors tucked into the planter’s soil tell us instantly — from miles away — the moisture content of the plants’ soil, when we access Spiio’s online portal.

It collects soil data every hour and sends it to us every three hours.

Level Green account managers and the operations managers who supervise water crews will check the data regularly, before crews go out, to make sure watering is needed.

We can measure the moisture level at different sites from our office, without sending crews out.

It’s a big convenience for building owners and property managers, who only pay for watering their plants really need. 

Leave Your Watering Worries to Level Green  

Those big planters brimming with colorful annual flowers and captivating tropical plants are big attention getters for your commercial property.

But you have more pressing things to do than constantly check to see if they need water.

That’s why we’re here — with the latest technology to make sure your sun-drenched planters and rooftop pots get the exact amount of water they need to thrive, without you paying for more than they need. 

If you’re not already a Level Green Landscaping client, we’d love to add you to our growing list of happy customers.

Our focus is on commercial properties like offices, mixed-use sites, HOAs, municipalities and institutions in Maryland, Washington DC and parts of Virginia.

Contact us at 202-544-0968.

You can also request a free consultation online to meet with us one-on-one.

We’d love to hear from you.