Withstanding the Droughts of Summer

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Watching your garden wither under the oppressive sun of a drought can be heartbreaking, but you don’t have to feel helpless. There are many tricks and techniques to help you and your garden get through a summer drought.

Gardening in Drought-Prone Areas
If you live in an area that is already experiencing a drought, or one that goes through summer droughts frequently, one of the best solutions for you might be to choose plants from the start that don’t require much water to thrive. Alyssum, Hollyhock, Marigold, Petunia, Phlox, Sage, Sunflower, and Zinnia are known to do well in low-water climates. A great tip is to choose plants that grow naturally in your area – these plants have grown used to the amount of water your climate naturally produces.

It is important for plants to have deep roots, especially in drought conditions. To grow deep roots it is recommended that plants get about 1 inch of water per week, preferably in one soaking rain (or watering). It takes about 90 minutes of solid watering with a sprinkler to get 1 inch of water. Do not give your garden short, frequent watering throughout the week because that will cause shallow roots that are much more vulnerable in a drought. Using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler to water your garden is a good way to get most of the water directly to the plant’s roots where it is needed most.

Use a rain gauge to monitor the amount of water that your plants are getting; don’t try to guess. Early morning is the best time to water your plants because the soil is at its coolest and most absorbent. Using 3 inches or more of mulch around your plants will help keep the soil cool and trap the moisture next to the ground so your plants have a chance to use it before it evaporates.

Withstanding an Unexpected Drought

If drought conditions catch you off guard there are still ways to combat the lack of rainfall. Try to remove all of your garden’s water competition – this includes pulling weeds and even replacing the grass near your garden with mulch. Grass and weeds use water more efficiently than most garden plants, and if there is a competition for scarce water, your garden will lose.

It is also important to reduce the amount of fertilizer you put on your plants in a drought. Fertilizer will cause your plants to expend their energy producing new growth when the energy of plants in a drought-plagued garden needs to be spent gathering and saving moisture. Watch your plants for signs that they have been damaged by drought, like scorched foliage or severe wilting. If you see these signs it is a good idea to cut back the foliage of your plants by up to one half to reduce their need for water.

If your area is under a water restriction there are still ways to water your garden. Put water collectors under your downspouts – most areas will get some rain even in a [drought]. You can also collect water from your indoor faucets by catching the water you run while waiting for it to reach the right temperature or while you wet your toothbrush. To get the most from this salvaged water, take clean, empty milk jugs and poke holes in them with a pin. Fill these with your salvaged water and set them by the roots of the plants in your garden. The water will leak out slowly, optimizing the little water you have.

A drought doesn’t have to mean the end of your garden. With creativity and a little extra work you should be able to nurse your garden through the hard times and keep it looking as beautiful as always.

Tags: Perennial Flowers