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Notes from the talk on "Dealing with Drought" on July 9th with
Geoff Ace.
Click here for Plants for Dry Positions
Dealing
with Drought
Effects
of drought:
Smaller plants, poorer
yields, wilting, scorching, death, premature leaf-fall, possibly more flowers.
Reducing
water loss:
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Plenty
of organic material esp. for sandy soils |
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Import
clay soils as a more permanent improvement |
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Firm
soil, don't loosen unnecessarily |
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Firm
planting, early winter best time, winter rains will settle |
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Avoid
weed competition, much more important than generally appreciated - get the
hoe going! |
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Mulching,
benefits far greater, good layer of bark chippings is best, but most
expensive option |
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Shelter
from wind, very drying |
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Provide
shade, pergolas over borders rather than patios and paths |
Using
limited water:
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When
planting leave a depression around individual trees and shrubs so spot
watering is more effective (less run-off) |
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Start
vegetables early, so they get deeper roots before the drought |
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Vegetables
- draw deeper drills than needed and only partially refill so drill will
hold water when using a watering can |
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Create
a drill when planting brassicas and leeks so water is close to plants |
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Can
watering - take care to add enough water, test using a trowel to ensure soil
is wet to a good depth |
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Critical
periods for watering
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when
plants are young or newly planted |
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for
peas and dwarf and broad beans when pods are developing |
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for
runner beans as start to flower |
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soft
fruit as fruit develop |
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lettuce,
celery, radish need lots of water all the time |
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Plant
selection:
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Lawns
- leave clover and yarrow, or replace with paving or gravel |
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Ornamentals
- plants with no leaves, small leaves, gray or silver foliage or hairy
leaves are most resistant to drought |
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Vegetables
- Runner beans "white lady" "red rum" or "desiree"
are less likely to drop flowers |
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Lettuce
- "webbs wonder" "Salad bowl" are recommended |
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Radish
"Red prince" |
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