Matthew Stevens: Plan garden around watering schedule, dry weather

Though summer officially began only a few days ago, it sure feels as though it has come in with a vengeance.

We’ve had little to no rain in most parts of Pitt County over the past month, and everywhere you look there are signs of drought whether it is stunted and browned stalks of corn in the field, once-green lawns looking more like burnt-orange, or trees and shrubs with drooping or falling leaves.

Many landscapes across the county are struggling, with the dry conditions now intersecting with high temperatures consistently above 90 degrees. While we can’t change the weather, there are a few things you can try that may help your landscape and garden when the weather turns dry.

Start by making sure that you are using water wisely and efficiently. This is important whether you have municipal water or a well. If you have city water, you will of course want to keep your water bill as low as possible, but if you have a well you might worry about running it dry in long dry periods when you have a big landscape to care for.

Try to water early in the morning as much as possible. Avoid watering in the middle of the day, as much of the water will evaporate before it can be taken up and used by the plants. For established landscapes, plants will need the equivalent of about 1 inch of rainfall per week, preferably in one or two large applications rather than smaller daily ones.

Sometimes you may need to water more frequently or heavily, but your plants will tell you when they need water by wilting slightly. Newly planted lawns or plants will need water more frequently, but in lighter applications, until their roots get established.

You may want to consider using rain barrels to collect water when it rains, and then using the stored rainwater to water plants during dry periods. This may be a good idea for someone with a shallow well, limited means to pay for city water, or if the rain water in a big storm tends to drain of your roof in one or two spots. You can purchase or make your own rain barrel, which is basically a large barrel with an open top and an adjustable stopper mechanism at the bottom to release when desired.

A long-term strategy that may make dealing with drought somewhat easier is to use a landscape technique known as xeriscaping. This means to plant trees, shrubs, and flowers in groups based on their watering needs, specifically featuring those that will tolerate periods of drought or dry weather. Some good examples of drought tolerant plants are sedum, zinnias, verbena, daylilies, butterfly bushes, abelia, oakleaf hydrangea, many spireas, most ornamental grasses, and more.

It’s important to note that these plants will still need a regular watering schedule when first planted in order to establish a good root system. Once they have done so, they will be much more able to withstand long periods of little water.

For more information about gardening in dry periods or drought, visit https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/weather-2/dealing-with-drought/