Watering your plants can be a delicate process, and that process can become even more delicate during a drought. Your town may ask you to conserve water during dry seasons, effectively telling you to shut down your sprinkler systems. It can be devastating to watch your green, luscious garden slowly wilt into a withered wasteland. For that reason, check out these tips to keeping your plants alive during a drought!
Mulch
During a drought, mulch will be your best friend. Mulch locks in moisture, which can help the little water you do have go a long way. Don’t be skimpy with the stuff, either; you should pile at least 2-3 inches of mulch all around your plants.
Watering Tactics
During a drought, you should water less frequently but more intensely. A common mistake many gardeners and homeowners make is overwatering during a drought. Keep in mind that overwatering your plants can causes shallow root development. It can also cause runoff to carry essential minerals and nutrients away from the root system. Watering less frequently will force the roots of your plants to grow deeper in search of water. When you do water, water liberally as the soil will be dry; it will take longer for water to seep down to the root zone. To reset your watering schedule, simply change the timer on your sprinkler system.
Reduce Pruning
Pruning plants promotes new growth and removes injured or damaged parts that can burden your plant; however, pruning during a drought can be catastrophic. Pruning, although helpful, is traumatic. Every time you prune, the plant must repair itself. This repairing requires valuable energy that your plant may not have during a drought. Plus, pruning leaves the plant exposed to diseases and creates an area where moisture and sap can seep out. Pruning is highly stressful for your plants, so put the pruning shears away until water is abundant.