As we enter the hottest and driest time of the year here in New England, I’ve been thinking about some helpful strategies to keep our gardens hydrated and happy during July, August, and early September.
When rain becomes scarce in summer, it helps to establish a regular watering routine, because when we neglect our gardens to the point of acute dryness, the soil actually repels water! A good plan is to water early in the morning or late in the afternoon, while the sun isn’t beating down on your plants. Take your time and let the water soak in. Thoroughly watering a couple of times a week is ideal, but if you only have time to water once a week, make sure it’s a deep one. Pay particular attention to any new plants in the garden first, such as annuals, new perennials, shrubs, or trees added during the spring.
There are many ways to water our gardens, but, like so much in life, it really comes down to personal preference, and my absolute favorite watering tool is the long-handled wand. By replacing my hose spray nozzle with the wand, I can target individual plants with a generous waterfall that reaches those moisture-starved roots. The lowest setting is gentle enough for seedlings and young plants, and, because the wand allows for deep watering, I don’t have to water as often.
When pressed for time or the weather is just too hot for standing outside, I also use a sprinkler to cover large garden areas. The downside with sprinklers is that they can take hours to really soak a garden, and using them at night can encourage mold or mildew. If you choose to use an overhead sprinkler for watering, use it early in the morning or late in the afternoon, allowing time for your plants to dry off before evening settles in.
Once you’ve got your watering approach figured out, how do you keep the soil from drying out between soakings? Honestly, your greatest garden ally in the fight against dryness is mulch — a moisture-retentive organic covering for your soil. Gardens lacking in organic matter can’t hold moisture, no matter how much water you throw at them, so regular mulching is the easiest way to keep your soil hydrated and your garden looking lush.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve grown away from using traditional bark mulch in favor of the abundant oak and maple leaves that litter our property every autumn. When shredded by the lawn mower, these leaves make a lightweight mulch that can easily be applied to gardens in late fall. For more on leaf mulch, see my previous blog: Utilizing Autumn Leaves in the Garden – NANCY WITH THE LAUGHING FACE
Leaf mold, the byproduct of these decaying leaves, is said to hold up to 500 percent of its own weight in water, thereby reducing evaporation and keeping roots cool during the dog days of summer. And supplementing the leaf mulch with compost or thin layers of grass clippings around your plants only adds to this nutritious and moisture-retentive mix.
Another strategy for keeping moisture in our gardens is by utilizing a living mulch – low-growing plants or groundcovers that spread around larger plants, filling in gaps and creating a natural barrier between the soil and the hot sun. Not only do these plants provide shade and retain moisture, they can also help prevent weeds from germinating. Some living mulches to consider are Ferns, Lamium, Forget-me-Nots, Ajuga, Creeping Jenny, Sweet Woodruff, Hardy Geraniums, and even Hostas. A word of caution here: Some groundcovers can spread aggressively, so do your research before planting!
Beautiful gardens aren’t made overnight — they’re the product of consistent care, season after season. By sticking with a regular, deep watering schedule, letting groundcovers do their quiet work, and mulching generously with organic coverings, your garden will reward you with lush, healthy growth even through the hottest months of the year!
All photos by Nancy Marie Allen
