Advice on how gardeners should deal with the drought

By now, whether you garden or not, you must be aware that we are suffering from a drought. Farmers and gardeners are usually the first to feel the effects of a drought. I am writing this column on June 14 and we have had a few showers in the past few days but unless we get several long, continuous spells of rain, our deficit (which has been as high as 9.4 inches) will still be there and there is a lot of hot weather to come.

Water is always a precious resource but in climatic conditions like those we have experienced recently, it becomes an important responsibility for all of us to conserve as much water as possible.

As gardeners, I expect that you are getting somewhat depressed about the state of your lawn and even some of your plants – particularly anything you have planted recently. Many area lawns are desert-like, plants are drying out, flowers are wilting – and it's non-stop watering for containers. Newly planted flowers, shrubs, trees etc. must be watered often when first planted but as for the rest, I obtained some great tips about irrigation and watering that I think you will find useful.

I also spoke to Ken Wells, consumer horticulture agent at the New Hanover county cooperative extension, and put some questions to him about responsible irrigation:

Q. How much water does the average lawn need in a week?

A. One inch. [Measure it in a small round can with straight sides e.g. cat food can.]

Q. How often should you water?

A. "Most established plants need 1 inch per week, preferably in 2-3 irrigation [cycles] per week. So that would mean irrigating long enough to supply ½ or 1/3 [inches] of water [per cycle] and then a couple or three days between irrigation cycles.

Q. What about trees and shrubs once they are established?

A. One inch per week to grow well, one inch per month just to survive.

Q. And flower gardens?

A. That depends. Annuals need more than perennials: perennials need about 1 inch a week. [Note: I am sure you have found, as have I, that during the hot weather my containers need watering every day we don't have rain, but it is possible to select plants, like portulaca and cannas, that need less water.]

Q. When is the best time to water?

A. Ideally between 2 a.m. and 6 p.m. to finish before the sun rises.

Q. What methods of irrigation do you favor and why?

A. It all depends; for woody plants a drip system is probably the best. But drip is hard to do on herbaceous plants and lawns. But the method is not as important as the frequency and the duration of irrigation.

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Repel the bugs. There are several varieties of bugs that live in your garden. The thing with these garden bugs is that they are also eating and damaging your garden in the process. Check where you get your garden supplies for a spray on pesticide. Many are very safe and efficient. Read the labels carefully though, and always follow instruction well. Once the bugs are gone your garden will look much better. There will be no more bitten leaves or veggies

Trick Number Two… Replenish the soil. Flowers or vegetables that are growing in old soil will not grow as well as those which are growing in refreshed soil. To refresh your soil simply mix some fresh in with the existing. After a while your soil loses it’s nutrients. Plants need these nutrients to grow and to thrive. Refreshing your soil mixes the nutrients back into the soil. Your plants will grow bigger and faster in good, healthy soil.

Trick Number Three… Weed your garden. Weeds are a pest to every gardener. Unfortunately, they are something we just have to deal with. You could use a weed be gone kind of product to rid yourself of weeds. Or, you could just pull them the good old fashioned way, by hand. Weeding often makes this chore a piece of cake, and keeps your garden weed free, and healthy.

Trick Number Four… Water your plants. Even an outside garden needs to be watered. During the summer month the ground is dry. There is little rain. This is when we need to get out the watering can or turn on the hose. Plants cannot live without water. They need to be watered regularly to grow healthy and radiant. Watering your plants often will ensure that they are not withering away.

Trick Number Five… Check your garden at least once a day. Walk around it. See if your soil is getting dry. Check and see if the bugs are bothering your precious plants or vegetables. Gardens need attention. This doesn’t take much time at all. Just a few minutes. When you keep up on your gardening duties you will find that it is not a chore at all, but rather very enjoyable.

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