When the sun is high in the sky with all of its summer might‚ the garden may have its problems too․ Even in dry gardens‚ problems are most likely to occur at this time of year․ The amount of water is the main problem and this becomes more and more difficult to get hold of․ Ultimately‚ by incorporating plants that are native to our area‚ practicing good environmental horticultural practices‚ and using the right watering methods for our gardens‚ we can create beautiful spaces to enjoy and spend time in․ This‚ in turn‚ leads to a more sustainable way to garden‚ greater harmony with the environment‚ and a better experience for all involved․
Native Plants Can Handle Droughts
Choosing the right native plants for the site may be the most important step when gardening in an area that experiences summer drought․ These plants are well adapted for local climatic and soil conditions‚ and once established‚ require little or no irrigation during the dry season (drought)․ Plants that hold water include lavender‚ coneflower‚ and agave‚ which are well suited for a drought-tolerant garden․ Usually local ecologists‚ guides to local ecology and it may even be the case that a local native plant society is the best resource for determining the best plants for a given geographical area in a drought garden․ Planting local varieties of plants will help a gardener reduce their water consumption and support local wildlife with a more balanced ecosystem․
In addition to the selection of plants‚ there are sustainable ways of gardening that can contribute to the creation of a drought-tolerant garden․ One such way is through the use of organic gardening․ When plant materials are composted‚ nutrients are returned to the soil and moisture is retained so that plants can become established even in periods of drought․ Mulching the soil can control weeds while minimizing moisture loss from the soil․ In gardens‚ maintaining productivity can be as simple as using cover-crops in non-crop periods to improve the structure and the aeration and biological activity of the soil and render it more productive and fruitful for the next crop․ These procedures have been practiced in an effort to reduce the drought conditions in the garden․
Also of critical importance to the gardener seeking to overcome drought in the summer months is improved soil moisture retention․ Soils amended with natural organic materials such as well-rotted compost or leaf litter have more water-holding capacity‚ as these organic materials can act like a sponge․ This provides moisture retention for longer periods‚ and gardens will require watering less frequently if such amendments are made․ In addition‚ adding heavy-duty‚ drought resistant soil amendments such as biochar can help aerate and structure the soil‚ and the use of a raised bed can help․ We improve the drainage by making raised beds to prevent water from being trapped where it won't help our plants‚ all of it to help us through the dry season․
Why You Should Make a Drought-Tolerant Garden
Behind the idea of a drought tolerant garden is the idea of a garden in which water is used to the greatest advantage‚ not only because of the selection of plants‚ but in the arrangements of the plants․ For example‚ hydrozoning can save water by grouping plants with similar watering needs․ Another way to conserve water is to use hardscape elements‚ such as gravel paths or stone furniture‚ to replace plant material․ By cleverly combining drought tolerant groundcovers with shrubs and trees standing above them‚ it is possible to create aesthetically-pleasing‚ self-sustaining landscapes that retain rainwater by shading the ground‚ and thereby preventing it evaporating in summer's rays from the very hot sun that can be damaging to the plant․
Irrigation methods can be modified to save water during dry periods‚ such as changing from overhead sprinkling to drip irrigation‚ where the water is poured directly onto the root system of the plant to avoid waste․ Smart irrigation controllers are another simple form of irrigation assistance‚ which automatically change watering schedules depending on current weather conditions and only water your garden when it is necessary․ Rainwater harvesting is also a sustainable way to water the garden‚ using rainwater in place of municipal water․ These new irrigation strategies give gardeners the ability to use less water while still supplying water to the plants in quantities needed to help them thrive․
Build A Sustainable Future With A Drought-Tolerant Garden
Indeed‚ summer drought does not have to mean the death of our gardens․ If we make an effort to understand the importance of native plants‚ follow sustainable gardening practices‚ improve the ability of the soil to store water‚ design the garden well‚ and use available water efficiently‚ we will be successful․ And every step we take‚ every single new practice that we embrace‚ builds towards a sustainable future‚ a future in which our gardens are a shining example of resilience and ingenuity‚ a future where we can adapt and flourish‚ even if the rest of the world is parched and dry․ Every step we take towards such a partnership with our surroundings deepens our bond with the land's beauty and cultivates our hope for a future life harmoniously intertwined with it․
