Climate change is evident in all parts of the globe. In some regions, winters are harsher, while in others, summers are plagued with long droughts and frequent flooding. Therefore, maintaining a garden is becoming increasingly difficult not only in winter but during harsh summer periods as well. Luckily, there are at least 10 ways you can protect the garden during this hot and dry period.
Mulch preserves ground moisture
If you’re a seasoned gardener, then you know that mulching is done for more than just the garden’s good looks. Namely, mulch covers the earth and prevents direct sun exposure, which means that water evaporates from the ground slower. This way, the earth is able to retain moisture even during drought.
When it comes to the type of mulch best for your garden, both organic (e.g. tree bark, pine needle) and ready-made colored mulch will do just fine. The only prerequisite is that its color is light, so it repels the sun’s rays.
For organic much, grass clippings fit the bill the best, while bark is ideal for shade areas around shrubs, hedges, and trees with large canopies.
The ideal time of the day for watering
Paradoxically, strong sunlight can be your ally when it comes to watering. Namely, when you water the garden in the morning, the sun will help the ground soak the water before air temperatures drop in the evening. Watering the garden when the Sun is in its zenith is also not recommended, as water will turn into mist before it reached the root system.
On the other side, if you water the garden in the afternoon, then the ground will be wet overnight, causing the plants’ roots to rot underground, steeped in water. Unless you are growing water lilies, the amount of water every plant species get should be moderate.
The garden should have shady areas
During the day, the sun travels across the sky, exposing some parts of the garden to sunlight, while hiding others in the shade.
However, you don’t want your plants to be left to the mercy of shifting weather during scorching summers. The garden should feature a permanent shady area for plants that are intolerant to extended exposure to the sun.
For starters, a large tree should provide a shade large enough but as your garden space grows in size, you might want to add a retractable roof or a shade sail. In fact, there are countless ways to add shade to your outdoor living space, so get creative!
Hand-watering plants
Soaker hoses and intricate irrigation systems are more suitable for large, industrial estates. Your garden is more of a hobby, so there is no reason not to water plants by hand. Since your backyard garden isn’t that spacious, you can reach every corner of it on foot. Using sprinklers is a pure waste of water and a sprinkler system can never water the garden as evenly, as a hose can.
Collect rainwater and use it for watering
Speaking of water waste, you can significantly reduce your water bill by reusing rainwater. Unlike tap water, rainwater contains all the natural mineral plants require. All you need for rainwater collection are large tanks that are attached to the end of the drains. Then you just have to find garden hoses for sale and attach them to the rainwater tank. Afterward, it’s a breeze to go around the garden and hand-water every single plant.
Managing transplants
Transplants are without exception younger plants that need more water and nutrients to thrive. Even a short and mild drought can kill them off with ease. That’s why you need to wait for summer to pass before you introduce transplants in the garden.
Even then, you should look to group them with larger plants, so they benefit from their shade. The trick is to place them close enough to be in their shade, yet not to close so they have to compete for nutrients from the ground.
Let the lawn grow a little taller
The lawn is cut using the one-third rule, that is, you never cut more than a third of the blades’ length. However, during a particularly harsh summer, you might want to let the grass grow taller for an extra shading effect. The blades should be at least 8 cm (c. 3 inches) tall. The more severe the drought, the taller should you let the grass grow.
Weed the garden once a week
Weeding and summertime don’t seem to have much in common but they are inseparable. Namely, if you let weeds overtake your garden they will take away nutrients and more importantly, water from other plants.
Weeding out by hand or using a weeder and some chemicals (weed killers) should be done at least once a week in summer. The more often you weed the garden, the less work you’ll have every time you inspect the garden for invasive species.
A body of water as a reservoir
A standard part of a Zen garden is a fish pond. In a Japanese rock garden, the pond is populated with Koi-fish but you don’t need any fauna for your flora to benefit from an artificial reservoir.
Namely, if there is a body of water inside your garden or backyard, regardless of its magnitude, plants will always be able to draw water from it using their respective root systems.
A small pond will prove as a lifeline for plant life during a particularly harsh summer.
Look to avoid pruning in summer
Even with all the preventive measures taken, you are bound to have sunburned growth. However, you should look to avoid pruning them because the outer foliage is still protecting the healthy part of the plant inside, although it may seem dead at first glance.
You can prune sun-damaged growth right after air temperatures drop and it’s no longer scorching-hot outside. The first months of fall are ideal for pruning, as it’s highly unlikely that another heatwave will hit then.
Admittedly, protecting the garden during a harsh summer is no walk in the park. However, you should think of mulching, watering, and avoiding pruning as chores that will help you protect your springtime investment: a blossoming ad verdant garden.