Simple Steps to Heal Drought Sick Gardens

When drought hits, our garden plants suffer. Inadequate water stresses plants, and you will see the oldest leaves yellowing, drying, and falling off first. Prolonged drought leads to dieback in twigs and branches, especially on trees and shrubs. Root damage is also typical, often leading to the plant's eventual death.

 

The longer the drought lasts, the more significant the damage becomes. Early-season droughts are particularly harmful because plants are actively growing and preparing for summer. When drought arrives, all we can do is wait it out, hoping our plants are healthy, vigorous, and mulched beforehand. Once the drought breaks, it is time to assess the damage and begin the recovery process.

 

Don't Overwater

Indeed, resume regular watering. It is tempting to give drought-stressed plants as much water as possible, but you can overdo it. You want to ease your plants back into health. Keep the soil moist but never wet. Roots need oxygen as much as they need water, and saturated soil suffocates them, causing more stress. We cannot control excessive rain, but we can maintain our hoses and sprinklers.

 

Most plants require approximately 1 inch of water per week or roughly 1 gallon of water per square foot. If plants are in sandy, quick-draining soil, were recently planted with unestablished roots, or have damaged roots, they will need watering two or three times a week to ensure sufficient water uptake.

For tomato growers, irregular watering can cause two common disorders: cracking and blossom-end rot. Both occur when plants are left dry for a week or two, followed by excessive watering.

 

Prune Judiciously

During a long drought, pruning otherwise healthy plants back by about one-third can help lessen their water needs. Use your judgment to determine which plants need this extra help, and avoid cutting back trees and shrubs. Their canopies protect them from scorching and burning, and pruning them would only add more stress.

 

Fertilize with Discretion

Fertilize just before the summer monsoon rains arrive in July. Without adequate water, fertilizer is wasted or causes more stress. Once the drought ends, an organic fertilizer is the best option, becoming available as the plant recovers and helps it regain vigor.

 

Synthetic fertilizers containing salt are the worst option during the heat of summer. They should be avoided entirely during a drought. The salt in the soil can damage plant roots and intensify drought damage.

 

At Watters Garden Center, we recommend Watters 7-4-4 All Purpose Plant Food. This organic, slow-release food is ideal for healing stressed plants because its nutrient blend promotes root development and overall plant health without causing excessive top growth. It is gentle on damaged roots and provides the sustained feeding plants need for recovery.

 

Scout for Secondary Problems

Drought-stressed plants are prime targets for pests and diseases, which will further weaken them. While you should always be on the lookout for problems, keep an especially keen eye during and after a drought. Catch problems early. In some cases, you may need to prune out affected parts or even remove the entire plant.

 

Replace Mulch

Prevent garden soils from sunburn, which can cause the soil to crack open and further damage roots. Once your plants have been well-watered and fed, ensure they have a 3-4" inch layer of mulch around their drip line. Watters Premium Mulch decomposes during the growing season, and by mid-summer, they have almost disappeared. Keep those stressed roots cool and moist by replacing the mulch as soon as possible.

 

Further Steps to Protect Your Landscape from Future Drought Damage:

·      Drought-tolerant plants: Some plants handle drought better than others. Select drought-tolerant varieties and cultivate an xeric garden with reduced water requirements. If you must have plants with high water needs, group them so you can water only the small area they occupy. See Watters entire list of locally hardy plants for the landscape: Local Plants That Need Less Water

 

·      Organic Matter: Continuously add compost and other organic matter to your soil to improve its moisture retention. This is where 'Watters Humic' shines. Humic acid improves soil structure, enhances nutrient uptake, and significantly increases the soil's water-holding capacity, making plants far more resilient to drought.

 

·      Weed: Weeds compete with garden plants for water and nutrients, and weeds usually win that battle. Take steps to prevent weeds from taking hold. Watters Organic Grass & Weed Killer control weeds naturally and is far safer for your dogs, birds, and butterflies

Free Garden Class Every Saturday at Watters Garden Center

Join us every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM for our free garden classes, right here at Watters Garden Center on Iron Springs Road in Prescott. July is packed with valuable insights to help your garden thrive! Summer Class Schedule

 

July 12, discover "Simple Steps to Heal Your Sick Garden." We'll cover water issues, diseases, and pests, providing you with immediate solutions for healthier plants. Your garden will thank you!

 

Then, on July 19, learn about "Green Screens: Designing Living Walls for Beauty & Privacy." Find out which fast-growing plants create instant privacy, block unwanted views, and reduce noise.

 

Finally, on July 26, "Poolside Paradise with Patio Tropical Plants." Learn to arrange heat-tolerant tropicals in containers to transform your pool area, deck, or patio into a vibrant, resort-like oasis.

Come learn something new and connect with fellow gardeners!

 

Until next week, I'll be helping gardeners with sick plants here at Watters Garden Center.