Think about gardening and you naturally think about watering it. But your city's summer water restriction announcements have become part of your gardening life. While the days or hours change from community to community, the message is the same: 'No watering between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.' or 'Residents can only water their lawn or garden two days a week.' That's when you realize gardening season can also be drought season.
Most people assume a drought is caused when there is not enough rain or snowfall over a long length of time and that is true. But droughts are also a fine balance between demand and water supply. They can occur when water demand exceeds the amount of water available. About five percent of total household water use over a year is in the garden. Demand for water during evening hours or on weekends can more than double that average if the spring/summer is dry.
While mainly used for irrigation, the U.S. Geological Survey reports that about 7.8 billion gallons (30 percent) of the 26 billion gallons of water Americans use daily are for outdoor use. Lawn care maintenance can account for about 10,000 gallons over and above a year's rainfall during a dry season.
Another cause for drought: if area water becomes temporarily or permanently contaminated (naturally occurring arsenic, radium, etc.) the usable water supply is decreased, upsetting that fine demand/water supply balance.
One way to still enjoy your garden in a dry season and save on your water bill is to plan a drought-resistant one. There are many advantages that include not having to deal with watering cans and hoses. Use your water wisely and you'll discover the time you never seem to have enough of in the summertime.
But where to begin?
Just like you would with a normal garden – get the facts about your area; research the best place in your yard for drought-hardy plants, shrubs and trees. Think about how much rainwater your area gets. Where does the sun hit your garden and for how long? How many windy days can you expect?
As with a regular garden, learn everything you can about your soil. Think about purchasing a soil sampling kit. Prices range between $15 and $20. Send the kit back to the company and find out if your soil is acidic or alkaline or the PH and nitrogen, phosphorus and potash content. With this information, you will know what your soil needs to grow healthier, drought-resistant and beautiful plants.
Because you are creating a heat-resistant garden, you will need to chose plants that are heat and disease resistant. But here's the great news – cactuses are not your only option. Imagine a selection of annuals, perennials, shrubs and grasses that depend on rainwater. And if the plants are chosen correctly, your drought-hardy garden will be as beautiful as a regular garden that depends on a sprinkler or hose.
What type of plants and shrubs should I look for?
Choose plants with grey-green or silver leaves because their colors will conserve moisture by reflecting the sun's rays. Avoid plants with labels like 'needs frequent attention,' 'hard to establish,' or 'susceptible to disease.' because they will require more fertilizer, pesticides and water.
Native plants to your area are adapted to local soils and weather conditions. They are automatically more resistant to disease and garden pests and they will not require a lot of fertilizers.
Once you have chosen your plants, water them during the first couple of weeks so they can get well-established in your soil type. Plant in an open area that collects as much rain as possible. Make sure the area gets enough afternoon shade so your plants don't dry out. To keep the soil moist, make sure to mulch so rainwater doesn't evaporate. If your area is subject to a lot of windy days, plan the garden in an area that is sheltered from those drying conditions.
And now for some plant suggestions...
- Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), a daisy-like flower that grows 2 to 3 feet high and 2 feet in width. Plants range from pink to purple and bloom from the beginning of summer into fall. Goldfinches are attracted to its 'cone' seeds. Echinaccea, the herbal cold therapeutic comes from this plant.
- Coronation Gold yarrow (Achillea 'Coronation Gold'), a tall silvery-gray leafed plant with golden yellow flowers that grows up to 3-feet in height. Blooms from mid-summer to early autumn. Prefers full sun, well-drained soil; hardy to -40 degrees.
- Autumn Joy sedum (Hylotelephium 'Autumn Joy'), also known as 'stonecrop,' is a good perennial choice for a rock garden. It's 2 x 2 feet colored foliage, ranging from bluish-green, greenish-yellow, reddish-pink to off-white, consists of succulent varigated leaves. It also produces cluster blooms of yellow, orange, red or pink that attract butterfiles. Prefers full sun, well-drained soil; hardy to -40 degrees
- Lamb's ears (Stachys byzantina) an evasive plant with silvery footage that grows to one-foot in height, makes a perfect groundcover. It produces light purple flowers on tall spikes that works well in the front row of a garden bed. Its velvety texture makes the plant deer-resistant.
- Moonbeam coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’), can be another invasive perennial with clusters of light yellow, daisy-like blooms that last from the beginning of summer into the fall
And for added garden interest, try ornamental grasses...
Maidengrass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’), a grass that can grow up to 7-feet both in height and width, produces coppery tassels as a seed-head in early fall that later grow lighter and look like plumes. This grass is a nice winter visual from December through February.
With its blue colored powder puff foliage that grows about 1 x 1 foot and rapidly spreads, Blue fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’) is the perfect garden complement to the Lambs Ear (see above). Great for ground cover on dry, sunny sloped areas.
With your drought-hardy garden in place, those water restriction announcements will be a thing of your past. By reducing your watering time you'll not only save money, you will have the time to really enjoy your summer!
Kate Reynolds - Writing is just what I do. From short stories, to newspaper stories to non-fiction researched stories, it's just what I do. Currently I'm ...
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