DROUGHT DODGERS
Gardening tips for dry spells
Until we received the deluge last Saturday, Ottawa gardens were gasping for water. Indeed, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority had issued a “severe” drought condition advisory across the Rideau River watershed, with no rain having been reported at the Ottawa airport since July 25.
Of course, as gardeners we are taught to conserve rather than waste water. But rather than watering sparingly when the going gets tough, there are ways in which we can ensure that our plants don’t suffer during extended droughts. Here are my tips to achieve that goal.
1. Choose plants that are appropriate for their location
Make sure your ferns, astilbe and other moisture-loving plants sit in the shadows or the shade of trees and shrubs. Hosta can take some sun, especially those with golden foliage, but a combination of sun and heat will scorch those broad leaves in no time.
2. Plant thickly.
When the soil isn’t exposed, it can’t feel the heat, nor can it dry out as quickly. That means the roots of your plants stay shaded and hydrated. Plant a tapestry and you’ll also ensure that weeds don’t find a place to sprout.
3. Top-dress in the spring with compost.
Compost is far and away the best soil additive to use in your garden. It is light and fluffy and full of nutrients; it feeds your plants and also allows water to slowly percolate into the soil, holding it there and preventing it from running off onto your pathways or patios.
4. Use mulch and/or well-rotted manure if you don’t have compost.
A layer of this organic matter will insulate your plants’ roots, allowing them to remain cool and moist, even in the hottest weather.
5. Ensure your lawn receives 25 mm of water a week, either with your sprinkler or through rainfall.
Watering infrequently but deeply is the way to go: choose a sprinkler system that throws water closer to the ground rather than high into the air; this will ensure it doesn’t get blown away by wind or evaporated by the heat before doing its job. Twenty-five millimetres of fallen water will penetrate the soil to a depth of about 10 to 15 cm, and this ensures the roots of your grass will have moisture to draw upon when high summer temperatures and drought hit. Refer to the turfgrass producers international website for more information.
6. Trees and garden plants need water too.
According to the excellent, indepth article provided by Colorado State University Extension service (entitled Caring for Trees in a Dry Climate), the rule of thumb is that trees need 38 litres (10 gallons) of water per inch of trunk diameter at each watering, ideally three times per month April through September.
Garden plants will show drought and heat stress when their leaves wilt, scorch, turn brown, shrivel and fall off, as well as lose blooms and at worst, the stems collapse. At the first sign of wilting, your plants are telling you they need water. Make sure you pay attention and help them out before it’s too late.