This summer has been a challenge in the yard and garden. I’ve given supplemental water to plants that I’ve never had to water in 21 years, and I’ve gotten lots of exercise walking between the rain barrels and the garden.
There are several strategies you can use to help your garden through the toughest times.
Water early in the morning or in the evening or you’ll lose most of the water to evaporation. Avoid using a sprinkler for the same reason. A hand held hose, sprinkling can or soaker hose will direct the water where it is most needed. Less frequent deep watering is better than frequent light watering.
Container plants will need watering every day, perhaps even twice a day. Move containers into the shade on the hottest days even if they hold “full sun” plants.
In both the vegetable garden and flower bed, mulch is invaluable in preventing moisture from evaporating. A thin layer of chopped straw does wonders. Deeper mulch is even better.
Pull the weeds! They are stealing water and nutrients from your valuable plants.
You may want to rig up some type of shade structure to protect young plants during the hottest part of the day. It can be pretty, but it doesn’t have to be – an old bed sheet draped over some tall garden stakes will work in a pinch. Sheets of cheap wooden lattice boards can be propped against each other or tall stakes to provide dappled shade. Lay your old webbed lawn chairs upside down over the lettuce patch if you have to. Use your imagination!
Water is precious and expensive whether you live in the city or have your own well. Money, water supply or time may limit how much you can water your landscape. Each homeowner needs to decide for themselves which plants in their own yard are most important – most deserving of water. These would be the plants with the most financial value, those that provide the most benefits – like food or shade – and those having sentimental value. Decide what you could let go of if you had to, what you absolutely must protect, and rank everything else in between. Direct your water accordingly.
Here are some ideas for finding extra water for landscape use:
• Use an empty jug or bucket to catch water that would go down the drain while the dishwater or shower warm up. Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water that passes you by.
• Use a bucket or sprinkling can to scoop water out of the kiddie pool when the water needs changing.
• Use the water from pet bowls before filling with fresh water.
• Aquarium water is loaded with nutrients plants will love.
• Save cooking water from vegetables. Let it cool before pouring it on a plant.
• Install rain barrels below downspouts. If you don’t want to go that far, at least catch a bucketful or two every time it rains.
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