I'm in crisis mode. In my zeal of finally having my own place and garden, little did I know that we'd be in one of the worst heat waves and droughts by June!
Of course, we are used to dry, hot summers in Georgia, but they usually don't come until late July and August. This just doesn't seem right!
So I've had to improvise. It's got me thinking of measures I can take to reduce my watering time. Here are some I've come up with:
Grouping plants together under trees. Though I don't have much shade in my landscape, I've centered my irrigation efforts on putting as many pots underneath 2 Bradford pears.
Potting up smaller pots. I've tried to get many of my root-bound plants potted up into larger containers. This allows for more moisture retention.
Reducing the overall size of the plant. This involves cutting off excessive growth (above ground). You can also do this to perennials in the ground. For example, my Monarda (bee balm) is in permanent wilt mode, so cutting it to the ground now can reduce its need for water. I'm also cutting back mints and salvias to reduce transpiration.
If you can think of other strategies to cope with the heat and drought, please tell me. Pulling water hoses all over my yard is getting old, though I must admit, I do find watering satisfying. It's a relaxing activity and fun to watch plants rehydrate. I'm just dreading the water bill!
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