No Rain? No Pain! Keep Plants Happy without Wasting Water
 

The air can be so humid in July and August that it almost seems like the plants should be able to pull the moisture they need directly from the air. In fact, some of them do. However, by and large they need hydration in the form of a long, cool drink, just the way we do.
A garden needs one inch of rain or water each week, with some exeptions. Trees and shrubs should be watered for two or three summers after planting. Once established, they are on their own. Newly planted perennials and vines receive one season of supplemental water. Fall-planted bulbs and herbs get none.
Here are a few tips to help you make sure your garden has the moisture it needs.

Mulch
I have said it before, and I will say it again: Mulch is your friend. During the hot summer months, mulch can be especially useful for conserving water.
It is critical to keep tomato plants mulched and evenly moist to reduce blossom-end rot and cracking.

Containers
Since container-grown plants have a limited area from which to absorb water, plants in a sunny location may require watering several times a week. Check plants often to avoid water stress.
Likewise, check daily on water needs of hanging baskets in the summer. The wind and sun dry them more quickly than other containers.
Many garden stores carry water-holding synthetic soils. Research has shown that these products are effective in absorbing water, but the water is held tightly and may not be as readily available for plant use as originally assumed. These products may be useful in small containers, as they may reduce water and temperature fluctuations in the soil and the resultant damage to plant roots.

Time and Technique
Water the garden early in the day so plants can absorb the moisture before the hot sun dries the soil. Early watering also insures that the foliage dries before night. Wet foliage at night increases susceptibility to fungus diseases.
Likewise, use drip irrigation or soaker hose rather than spraying into the air to avoid losing the precious water through evaporation.

Don’t Do Lawns!
Yes, this does seem counter-intuitive. Why, if you are supplementing the water intake everywhere else, should you not water your lawn?
Grass is genetically programmed to go dormant during the heat of summer. It slowly goes dormant, taking in just enough water through its deep roots to keep it going through the summer. It will come back just fine in the fall.
If you override this natural dormancy by supplementing with water, the grass will grow shallow surface roots. You must continue to water it throughout the summer. If you suddenly stop watering it, it will die because it has become accustomed to the heavy watering and will not have the deep roots to sustain it.

Recycle
Water recycling can be as simple as having a rain barrel under your downspout to capture the rainwater and use it later. Other methods are greywater and blackwater recycling, in which you reuse sink and bath water (greywater) and toilet water (blackwater).
Blackwater is actually wonderful for flower gardens because of the added nutrients, but is sorely underutilized because of the technology challenges of accessing the water.
Everyone can utilize greywater the low-tech way: Use removable basins in your sinks and tubs rather than letting the used water go down the drain.

Drought-tolerant Plants
Yes, this is a tip that will need to wait for your next garden planning session, but it bears mentioning here. Put plants where they want to be. By selecting plants suited to the moisture levels in your garden, you will have less supplemental watering to do during dry periods. Place plants that like wet feet under your downspouts and other wet areas.
To find plants that like your region’s typical water distribution pattern, start with natives. They are already adapted to native soil types and annual rainfall amounts.

Birds
Continue attracting insect-eating birds to the garden area by providing them with a fresh water source.

Marie Gardner has an M.S. in biology and a Ph.D. in education. She gardens in King William County.