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Some of the perennials have slowed blooming but are still very alive. The purple cone flowers look a little tired.
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This year I’m trying to get through the summer without watering my garden. I’m trying to conserve water and save money.
Of course, the potted plants need to be watered. I watered some of the annuals when they drooped. New perennials need water until they are established. But, I’m talking about hours of soaker hose watering of the entire perennial garden.
I’m talking about what will live in my climate without extra water.
Fortunately, we’ve had a year with adequate rain, until now. After a few weeks of no rain, heat, and humidity the soil has turned concreteous. Mulch, free from Bethlehem’s Compost Center, is indispensable. I am amazed at what is surviving (make that looking pretty good) without any extra water.
Of course, the potted plants need to be watered. I watered some of the annuals when they drooped. New perennials need water until they are established. But, I’m talking about hours of soaker hose watering of the entire perennial garden.
I’m talking about what will live in my climate without extra water.
Fortunately, we’ve had a year with adequate rain, until now. After a few weeks of no rain, heat, and humidity the soil has turned concreteous. Mulch, free from Bethlehem’s Compost Center, is indispensable. I am amazed at what is surviving (make that looking pretty good) without any extra water.
Some of the perennials have slowed blooming but are still very alive. The purple cone flowers look a little tired.
.
Roses are struggling but blooming. The Japanese anemone, ast
ers and mums have set buds.
ers and mums have set buds. 
The ground cover lemon thyme and creeping jenny do not seem to have a problem.
The mum ‘Clara Curtis’ doesn’t seem to mind being dry at all. In fact, ‘Clara Curtis’ continues to bloom and bloom.
As I said, this has been a year with adequate rain. And I woke up this morning to a little less than half an inch of rain in the rain gauge. I’m not saying I will never turn the soakers on but I’ve learned that I can do with a lot less watering than I thought. We’ll see how brave I am during a drought.
I’m thinking about a rain barrel. Raising vegetables is another story.
What’s your strategy for watering?
As I said, this has been a year with adequate rain. And I woke up this morning to a little less than half an inch of rain in the rain gauge. I’m not saying I will never turn the soakers on but I’ve learned that I can do with a lot less watering than I thought. We’ll see how brave I am during a drought.
I’m thinking about a rain barrel. Raising vegetables is another story.
What’s your strategy for watering?
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