Tending Your Garden in a Drought: Lessons From the Ground

On Long Island, we’re used to four seasons, but lately, they’ve been less reliable. Spring is shorter, summer is hotter, and rain comes in unpredictable bursts — too much or not at all. The climate is shifting and it calls for us to adapt along with it. Gardening in a drought isn’t just about choosing the right plants — it’s about changing the way we think. So how do we garden in a time like this?

Water deeply, but infrequently. A deep soaking is better than frequent sprinklings. Irrigate close to the plant base versus overhead, as less water is lost to evaporation. Time of day matters! Water early while conditions are cooler, and water slowly so more is absorbed. And most of all, resist the urge to overwater. Collect rainwater where you can and use it for hand-watering planted containers. You can also use “gray water” from the bathtub or from washing dishes.

Mulch. A 2-to-3-inch layer of bark mulch, shredded leaves, or pine straw helps retain moisture, keeps the roots cool and insulates the soil. Apply mulch to the soil in container plantings, too. Avoid heavy pruning and stop fertilizing during drought. Both practices cause undue stress on plants.

Rethink your plant palette. Native plants, deep-rooted perennials, and tough, regionally adapted species are your allies. Think little bluestem, Echinacea, Penstemon, Amsonia and Aronia. They’ve evolved to thrive through dry spells. Plants with gray leaves are often drought tolerant: Russian sage, salvias, lamb’s ear, Dusty Miller and Artemisias are some examples. Don’t be afraid of experimenting with meadows or wild edges.

Shrink your lawn or let it go dormant in midsummer. That is heresy to many but we can no longer afford to take water for granted as we rely on a single-source aquifer. Turf grasses typically grow back when we have the cooler nights and rains that come in September.

As global temperatures continue to rise, experts predict warmer, drier summers could lead to more consistent droughts. Rethink pretty and be prepared.

Linda Whitaker is a member of the Westhampton Garden Club.