Recent heat alerts will continue as skyrocketing temperatures hit record-breaking highs.
Sweltering 34.6°C was especially hard on the very young and our seniors. The normal temperature is 27°C, according to Environment Canada.
Our gardens can naturally withstand those record temperatures, but unless they are drought-resistant, plants will not survive without a source of moisture.
The general limiting of moisture will severely impede a plant’s growth. Unfortunately, when rain resumes to some regularity, many plants will suffer the effects from long periods of the arid conditions.
The lack of water interrupts life-sustaining essential processes especially the food making system called photosynthesis.
Plant stress is very easy to detect especially in the heat of the day. A close examination will reveal that the leaves have started to droop and in severe cases have begun to curl at the edges. The normal green foliage colour will be lost.
Usually, stricken annuals will look smaller than they have in the past. Their flower colour will not be as glowing and the size of their leaves and stem lengths will be noticeably stunted.
Vegetable crops will not sprout as expected during drought. Genetically, the plant has a built-in mechanism that overrides any seed production. Intuitively, the plant realizes or simply does not have the ability to continue its growth of the plant to maturity.
If that condition persists for even a short period, overall vegetable production and quality will be down.
Perennials grown in full sun may simply not flower, or the bloom may be somewhat reduced. Older or mature plants may have a larger root system that will be able to search for moisture. Larger amounts of foliage will create a canopy and will shade root areas, preventing a complete drying out of the soil.
Newer or immature plants will simply not have the same ability to provide a shade around the root system and will wither much faster.
Younger trees and shrubs can be especially susceptible to long periods without moisture. Mature or older trees have advanced root systems that can easily search for moisture in the soil.
But in prolonged periods, older trees will use defense mechanisms to counter or react to the lack of moisture. A common visual clue is leaf scorch or premature defoliation of some leaves. Those leaves may have turned a bright yellow.
If the drought happens over a long period of time many severe setbacks will be noticeable.
Besides stunted growth, whole branches may die back, and, in extreme cases, the dying of the plant.
Often, woody plants will take up to three years after a drought to display negative long-term effects.
During precipitation days it is essential to get as much moisture as possible to the roots of all plants on a regular basis. Although the process can be time consuming, it is extremely necessary for the sustainability over this critical period.
Marjorie Harris, Canadian gardening author and broadcaster, suggests during these “almost drought-like days” that gardeners use a bucket when watering. “That way you can actually see the amount of water that is being applied to your plants.” Using a standard household bucket will allow everyone the ability to carry water to the necessary location. Allow one pail of water for every two metres of tree height.
Harris said, “to learn proper watering techniques is to become garden literate. And there are lots of tricks to watering well. Keep timing in mind. Never water at midday, since you lose way too much to evaporation. Early morning and evening are the ideal times.”
Make sure that mulch is generously soaked.
Harris added, “Rain-like form of watering is the very best thing you can do for your garden. But the rose garden should be watered by hand or at the base of the plants. Water on the leaves may end up with dots of fungus.
But pretty much everything else in the perennial border will appreciate a deep watering at least twice a week. It’s going to take longer than you think with a sprinkler so be prepared to let it go for at least an hour.” Predicting weather, especially the length of a dry spell, is rather difficult at the best of times. Applying mulch, incorporating compost into the soil, weeding regularly, watering as infrequently as possible, but when necessary apply deeply if and when regulations permit, are the proven methods to assist the garden in drought-like conditions.
by Ron Stevenson, is a member of the Fergus Horticultural Society
