WATER WISE GARDENING

We are always looking for ways to encourage our plantings to endure the environmental changes that we place them in. Here in Missouri, where we experience extreme weather patterns, plants are expected to adapt.

A little foresight can go a long way, especially when planning a garden. Here are some tips to keep in mind when purchasing plants and preparing them for the driest, hottest days of summer.

1. Keep in mind that "drought tolerant" really does mean TOLERANT. There is always a limit to how much a plant can tolerate before it reaches a turning point for the worse. A drought tolerant plant still must get some water!

2. Drought conditions are not the time to establish new gardens. New plantings need to be watered frequently, until well established.

3. Improve your soil to make it retain moisture: add organic matter such as compost or peat to sandy or clay soils.

4. Make smart planting choices. Select native and drought- tolerant varieties (see listing). Spend some time researching.

5. Mulch. Organic mulches such as wood chips, bark, ground corncobs, straw, grass clippings, and newspaper will retain moisture, reduce weeds, and break down to improve your soil and drainage.

6. Limit fertilizer use. Using fertilizer in drought conditions will stress your plants.

7. Pull weeds. Weeds require water to grow, and will eliminate competition of water.

8. Water in the early morning, or later afternoon, before sunset. You don’t want water sitting on your plants overnight…let the water evaporate off the leaves before the sun goes down to reduce fungal problems. One inch of water a week is sufficient, up to 2 inches of water if it is really hot. Don’t water with the sun on your plants, the droplets will magnify the sun’s rays and scorch the leaves.

9. Be smart about container plantings. Use plastic pots, instead of clay. Mulch the top of the pots, and give them part shade to relieve them of some of the heat of the day. Water more frequently (daily, or every other day). Use polymer granules (like Soil Moist) in your soil to help retain moisture.

10. Regular maintenance, like deadheading, pruning, checking for insects, and weeding, promote plant health and beautiful plants.