cycl
tips & tricks
The prospect of drought is alarming for
any grower, but with a little preparation,
it doesn’t have to mean the death of your
crop. Cory Hughes argues that with a bit of
tinkering, your soil or medium can become
a water-saving haven during dry times.
ummer is here, and for some parts of the
growing world, that means having to maintain
S your
plants in conditions that may have been
DE ALING WITH DROUGHT
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grow cycle
stricken with drought. California has served
as an example of what happens when areas
are deprived of the much-needed rainfall that
not only supports local ecosystems, but your
friendly neighborhood grower.
When water is scarce, growers need to become
creative in order to see that their gardens stay
lush and green. That means coming up with
ways to maximize your water efficiency, which
in the end is not only good for your plants but
the environment as well.
Before you buy anything or change any of your
habits, check how much water you have used
in the past. Do some math and find out exactly
how much water per plant you’ve gone through.
When water is abundant and cheap, we tend
to get a little liberal with our usage. Drought
will undoubtedly bring an end to the party.
How much water you need over the lifetime of
a plant will vary depending on what you are
growing. Research the specific needs of your
plants throughout your garden and compare
that with what you have been using to get a
rough idea of how much water you can save by
simply curbing your habits.
Once you’ve eliminated any human factors,
take a look at your medium. Organic soil,