9d • General discussion
What to do when water stops falling...
A record percentage of the US is facing a drought this summer, including Florida and Georgia.
My area typically only gets 16" of precipitation for the whole year. Most of that is snow between Thanksgiving and March. Prior to this area, I have lived in two deserts since 1997.
It is a given that we HAVE to have watering solutions for gardening.
Here are the basics of what you can do now to make it easier to keep things green all summer.
- Add organic matter to your soil. For every 1% increase in organic matter, you increase the soils ability to hold water by 10%. This is things like straw, manure, wood shavings, dried leaves. I put it on top every fall so it has time to decompose, but you can also mix it in before you plant. (No dig methods for the win!)
2. Mulch on top. I use old straw or used pine wood shavings because it is easy to transport and use. Mulch protects the soil from big temperature fluctuations, keeps water from evaporating, creates habitat for earthworms and good bugs, and eventually becomes more organic matter.
3. Use drip irrigation whenever possible. Targeted watering means fewer weeds. Drip also reduces the total amount of water used. Make sure the drip line is under the mulch, so it stays cool and the water goes right to the plants. I prefer the drip line that has holes every 6" or 1 ft. We have a high mineral content in our water and it plugs up the drip tape style in a single season.
Don't be intimidated by drip irrigation. Just think of it as grown up Legos or those popbead necklaces from the late 80s (IYKYK). Lay it out before you connect the lines, and always go from bigger to smaller lines.
What water saving techniques are you considering this year?
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What to do when water stops falling...
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