With drought announced in some areas and summer turning very hot it’s time to consider what more can be done to make your garden drought proof.
Mulching helps reduce soil moisture loss, keeps roots cool and prevents weeds. Weeds use much water, robbing garden plants. Mulch after watering or a summer storm rather than covering dry soil. Use about 7cm depth of mulch – 5 cm is not much weed deterrent, and more than 9 cm is unnecessary.
Mulches of bark, garden compost, soil improver or rotted manure will be incorporated into the soil by worms and other soil organisms over winter where it will boost the ability of the soil to retain moisture in future years.
Hoe very shallowly as disturbed soil releases useful moisture. Leave any digging until the autumn. Dug soil swiftly dries out.
Water in the evening or early in the morning as much water evaporates before it can soak in during the day. Sprinklers are highly inefficient with much water evaporating as it flies through the air and are best avoided when water is scarce. Lawns are the most likely place where sprinklers are used. Lawns can be left unwatered –they may go brown, but will green up again once rain resumes, with no lasting harm.
