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