GARDENING IN A DROUGHT
By Dr. Leonard PerryExtension Greenhouse and Nursery Crops SpecialistUniversity of Vermont
With a drought pretend much of the northcountry , smart gardeners are finding ways to gardenusing less urine . In addition to using right wateringpractices , or collecting and reuse water , thereare also some ethnical tips you may follow for H2O - wisegardening .
Cultural Practices
– For flush and veg , use widerspacing to repress competition for soil moisture , mulchingin between plants .
– Use three to four inches ( after settling)of organic mulch ( pine bark , stalk , or exchangeable ) to preventsoil from drying and losing wet to the gentle wind . Keepmulch by from trunks and off the top of desirableperennials . Using plastic mulch around shrubs or invegetable and annual flower gardens in which plantsare space regularly can facilitate as well . Or place thicklayers of newspapers in row , covered gently with mulch .
– Incorporate organic matter into thesoil , which will aid in H2O retentivity . Compost alsoadds nutrients , but breaks down faster than peat moss – anothercommon amendment . Peat moss go longer in the soil , at least a class or more , but adds few food andacidifies the stain ( which is easily chastise with liming ) .
– fertilise less , both less in amountand less often , and avoid applying too much gamy nitrogenfertilizer . Too much N results in excessive growthand increased need for water supply by lawns and plants . Organicfertilizers provide less atomic number 7 to the grunge and usuallyrelease it slower over a longsighted point , as well as helpimprove soil hommos , which helps hold water system .
– Choose and berth plants properly . Don’tselect industrial plant that prefer moist conditions , and placethem in a dry area . Choose flora more resistant todrought . These include many other plant in additionto cacti and succulents , such as those with deep taproots(baptisia or false lupin ) , duncish storage roots ( daylilies),or waxy coated farewell ( sedum ) . Perennial bloom needwater when newly plant , but once established requiremuch less piddle than annual flush . Native plant peradventure a just choice as well .
– Do n’t apply pesticides that might causeinjury to distressed flora , or which in heat need tobe water in .
– ward off pruning when plants are stressedand not acquire and are thus unable to bring around wounds promptly . Pruning also may stimulate side shoots and more growth , make the indigence for more water .
– For evergreens , utilize antitranspirantsprays on leaves to help prevent water loss . Or erectwindbreaks around such plants , if they ’re small or newand in a windy domain . Burlap strung between posts iseffective . For routinely impractical sites , consider plantinga more lasting windbreak of spruce , true fir , or otherevergreens to screen other planting .
– expend hoeing and soil cultivation of weedssparingly . Continually disturbing the soil surface willresult in it dry out much faster . You may have tocut weed off at the soil control surface , or expend contact orsystemic weedkiller and save the cultivation until droughtconditions easiness . At least the bright side is that underdrought , smoke wo n’t grow as fast either ! But keep weedsdown , as they contend with more desirable plants forwater .
Container plantings
– Move container plant to more shadedareas , so the soil wo n’t dry out as quick .
– expend clayware container that are glazedon the outside , which prevents much water loss . Or useplastic container , which , if unattractive can be setinto more attractive outer clayware ones .
– Do n’t crowd too many plant into containers , or utilize large containers for great flora . This willhelp keep them from drying out as often and requiringwatering daily or more often .
lawn
– allow for sens clippings after mowing toact as mulch and recycle nutrients and some moisture .
– If seeding lawn area , or repairingareas , use drought resistant supergrass type such as finefescues .
– If water is not useable , allow grassto go abeyant . Unless there are extreme condition fora long period , smoke ordinarily will begin uprise againonce weather condition improve .
– Do n’t mow pot when it is dormant andnot growing . Even when growing , set the mower heightat two to three inches high . mellow mown grass developsdeeper base system that are better able to withstanddrought .
If water is limit or in short supply , give highest priority to the pursuit :
– Newly plant trees , bush , and perennials
– Newly seed lawn or repaired lawnareas
– Plants on sandy soils or long-winded and exposedsites
– Vegetables when flowering
For current selective information on droughtconditions , log onto the National Drought MitigationCenter Website at www.enso.unl.edu/ndmc/watch/watch.htmor the University of Massachusetts ’ drouth informationWebsite at www.UmassDroughtInfo.org .
