Don’t wait till August when your plants are wilted and suffering from leaf scorch to develop a watering plan. And don’t wait till we have a drought emergency to think about helping your garden survive in a dry season. Be proactive! Here are ten easy ways to keep your plants happy and conserve water in your garden this summer:
Measure rainfall with a rain gauge to determine when to water. I keep a rainfall chart so I know when to water—if it’s less than one inch per week, I turn on the soaker hoses.
Water plants early in the morning. Water doesn't evaporate as quickly in the morning as it does in the heat of the afternoon. And it’s good to give your plants a drink to prepare them for the hot day ahead.
Water less frequently but deeply. Frequent shallow watering results in weak shallow roots. Less frequent but thorough watering encourages roots to grow deep, where the soil stays moist longer.
Water the soil, not the plants. The sun can burn wet foliage. Use a watering can, water wand, soaker hose or drip irrigation to saturate the soil while leaving the foliage dry.
Mulch your plants! A two- to three-inch layer of organic mulch (shredded leaves or compost) keeps the soil cooler, slows water runoff and—as an added bonus--feeds the soil as it breaks down.
Avoid pruning, fertilizing or applying pesticides during dry spells. These actions would put additional stress on your plants.
Don’t plant when it’s dry. All newly established plants require regular watering to survive. Plant in spring or fall, not summer.
Choose drought-tolerant plants. Plants with silvery, hairy or fuzzy leaves have low water requirements: Plants with long taproots, such as butterfly weed and baptisia are good choices also.
Cut down on mowing, fertilizing and watering. Let your lawn go dormant. Mowing causes water loss. Mow during the coolest part of the day and leave the clippings, which return a little moisture to the lawn. Raise the mowing height. Taller grass shades the soil, reducing water loss. Most turf grasses are adapted to summer drought. They turn a nice buff brown color as they go dormant and send their water reserves down to the roots. Don't worry--your lawn will green up again in fall when temperatures are cooler.
Use rain barrels to collect and recycle rain water. Connect your downspouts to rain barrels to collect rain water and use it for your garden or container plants.
Taking these steps will keep your garden happy and protect the water supply. For more information, go to PSU’s Drought Tips
Do you have a gardening question? In Delaware County, call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
April 26, 2008
Arbor Day Celebration
Join us at Smedley Park for an afternoon of educational activities for children that are designed to stimulate interest in trees and the environment. We'll provide hands-on experience in planting trees. Contact Elsie Mueller at 610-626-7210 or email for more information.
May 10, 2008
Invasive Plants
Learn to recognize and control plants that have been introduced to the USA and are now taking over our landscapes. We'll suggest alternative native plants to use in place of those aggressive invasives. Cost: $10
Registration required for all events except Arbor Day. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website for a registration form.
