Coping with dry times in the garden

Rainfall has all but forgotten Henry County over the last several weeks. What?s more, climate experts and horticulturists are warning that these dry times may be a preview of our ?new normal.?

Drought is a serious problem in the garden, but some management strategies are available to mitigate its effects. Start with the soil: mix in compost to increase the proportion of organic matter. In addition, aerate to foster moisture penetration into compacted soil.

Reconsider the extent of turf on your property. Conventional lawns are water-guzzlers that don?t offer the practical and aesthetic benefits of vegetable and flower gardens, for instance. Any sort of planting bed will be a water-management plus in place of turf: raised or conventional vegetable gardens, perennial borders, berry patches, rock gardens, orchards, built-in ornamental planters. If you?re determined to have turf, consider using drought-tolerant grasses such as buffalo grass or creeping red fescue. Ornamentals such as prairie dropseed may be substituted for turf in some locations.

Along with cutting back on the extent of turf, try to reduce or consolidate high water-use plants. Annuals, for example, require more water than established perennials, and hydrangeas are notoriously thirsty. If you are determined to include water-lovers such as hostas, astilbes, and impatiens, cluster them to reduce the area that will require substantial watering.

Mulching certainly helps in moisture retention. For perennials, use wood chips or pine needles up to three inches deep. For trees, a shallow, wide mulching that essentially covers the root circle is advised. Cones of mulch piled up around trunks will be damaging, if not deadly.

To the extent possible, recycle water. We do not in this area have municipal systems that provide gray water (e.g., from tubs and sinks), but individuals can certainly use such water in their gardens. The rain barrels that capture some potential runoff water are sources for watering in dry times.

When you need to water plants, use efficient means such as drip irrigation, soaker hoses, and tree bags. Water just the plants that need water. Overhead sprinklers, whether pulsating or oscillating, are very inefficient.

Right now: fertilize roses now but not again this year.

From now through mid-September is the ideal time to repair or establish lawns in those areas where a grassy surface is needed. Be sure to prepare a well-raked seed bed, to mulch, and to keep the top inch of soil evenly moist. Don?t mow until the grass reaches three inches.