Winter hasn’t even ended and I am worried about drought this summer. Here in southern Minnesota we’ve had a mild dry winter. While a wet spring could lessen the dry conditions; at some level it seems drought will persist into the growing season.
I plan to plant a fairly large vegetable garden this year and I don’t want it to go to waste. I also don’t want be a burden on the water system.
I’ve been reading tips from various areas around the United States that deal with dry conditions more often than we do here in Minnesota. Mulching and using compost are among the most common suggestions. Composts retains water and mulching helps keep water in the soil.
When buying plants, I will look for plant varieties labeled drought resistant. It might be a big scam as one blogger posted but I feel like it’s worth a try. Additionally some plants can perform well in dry conditions such as tomatoes, pole beans, chard, eggplant and spinach.
Another suggestion is double digging. The idea is to loosen the soil up further down so that it takes in water better. This is also a good way to amend soil with compost. Community Crops has a good set of instructions on the practice at www.communitycrops.org/doubledig.
Last year I considered buying a rain barrel but never got around to it. I think I will start shopping for one sooner than later. That way I can make the most of what Mother Nature gives.
Meteorological winter ends with February, which for me brings a whole lot of excitement. I am really hoping to get some cold hardy plants in the ground by late March. Hopefully though March will come in like a lion with lots of precipitation. April showers can be plentiful too.
Are you worried about drought? Have you made any plans to deal with it? Let me know your thoughts.
Emily … My husband and I bought a rain barrel last year and I LOVE it. Check with your county and see if they have any kind of program that will let you buy a rain barrel at cost. Down here in Rochester, they have a yearly program to encourage folks to buy compost bins and rain barrels … we bought both last year and the rain barrel was also eligible for a rebate from our electric company.
GOOD LUCK! I’m going to have a bigger garden this year too … my goal is to have enough tomatoes to can homemade salsa and spaghetti sauce.
Don’t get too excited about a garden’s impact on the water system. Not enough square footage. Conservation, on the other hand, is never a bad idea. A rain barrel is good idea. Use less water around the house, too. Mimic a drip system by trickling water on individual plants rather than overhead. Don’t even think of using a drip system, though. The concept is good, but those things are a pain to install and maintain.