This summer has been extra ordinary.
Long, hot days have been a paradise if you’re canoeist or have an extensive beachwear wardrobe. Not so much, if you’re a gardener.
Way above normal temperatures and a lack of rain have left parts of the country desperate for an extensive drenching. Unfortunately, this situation has also been impacting on farmers in a big way.
The obvious result will be higher food prices when consumers check out at the grocery store.
Many gardeners have been subject to water use limits to downright bans. Shallow wells are especially worrisome.
Any watering should be reserved for the most vulnerable. New plants and small trees should be first in line to get a drink. Older ones have larger root systems that can easily search for moisture.
Gardeners have had a difficult time just keeping things alive. The lack of moisture has been a huge challenge.
Regardless, experience gardeners know the situation will pass and their gardens will recover. In the meantime, maintenance is the key for survival.
Surviving annuals and perennials do not need any competition for moisture.
Weeds are notorious for stealing moisture and soil nutrients from desired plants. Be diligent with all hand weeding rather than surface hoeing.
Using a hoe will disturb the surface of the soil unnecessarily.
Larger weeds can be sheared off at ground level.
Carol Dunk, past president of the Ontario Horticultural Association, has some great advice for times just like these, while carrying on August garden maintenance jobs.
“A good job for August is to reassess the garden and note which plants did not do well for you. Normally I would say. ‘Toss ’em’,” said Dunk.
“But this year, reconsider. Don’t remove non-achievers unless you really hate them. The year has been so warm and dry that many plants did not perform as well as they should have. Give them a reprieve. Leave them until next year.”
Just don’t worry about any lawn areas. Grasses naturally become dormant when moisture is at a premium. Yes, it is unpleasant to look at but neighbours are experiencing the same dilemma about the lack of water.
Obviously, a lawn going through a drought is stressed. A drought is one of those times when it’s best to just not do anything to your lawn.
Cut as little as possible, or if absolutely necessary, set the mower on the highest setting. Don’t fertilize, rake, aerate or do anything else. Just wait for the rains to return.
This is a great time to dig out any broadleaf weeds that are growing in the grass. They are seen much easier as their leaves will be the only thing that is green. Somehow weeds will survive this drought, robbing any moisture.
Dunk considers the lack of moisture a great learning moment.
“Don’t put up with another brown season,” she said. “Reconsider your use of turf. Plant shrub clumps or a pollinator garden in place of your grass. Try planting ornamental grasses or hostas.
“Anything would be more fun than a monoculture of hundreds of turf grass plants that have to be cut once a week, weeded and fed and watered.
“Anything would be more attractive than a brown, dormant lawn in the heat of summer.”
Sometimes, it may be wise to choose ground covers that have the same effect as a lawn. They provide great foliage and interesting texture.
Gardeners could consider alternatives to customary plant choices.
Xeriscaping is a horticultural technique choosing plants that require little or no water. This method of landscaping may be appealing instead of choosing grass.
Perhaps adding some native plants into the garden would be appropriate. These plants have a drought tolerance built into them.
“If our climate this summer is the shape of things to come, plant daylilies,” said Dunk. They are “a bonus for the garden in the midst of a drought.”
As for all other flowers, cut off spent stems to just above the first set of healthy leaves. Unless you are saving seeds, deadhead as soon as the blooms starts to fade.
This will save energy and nutrients while helping the plant survive any drought.
Ron Stevenson is a member of the Fergus Horticultural Society
