Drought-Tolerant Plants: A Guide to Keeping Your Garden Green
What is Drought?
Drought is a period of time when there is not enough rain or water for plants to survive. Drought can cause plants to wilt, turn brown, and even die.
Why is Drought a Problem?
Drought is a problem because it can damage plants and make it difficult to grow food. Drought can also cause wildfires and other natural disasters.
How to Identify Drought-Tolerant Plants
Drought-tolerant plants are plants that can survive with less water than other plants. These plants have special adaptations that help them to store water and survive in dry conditions.
Some common drought-tolerant plants include:
- Cacti
- Succulents
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
- Oregano
- Yarrow
- Coneflower
- Daylily
- Black-eyed Susan
How to Care for Drought-Tolerant Plants
Drought-tolerant plants are relatively easy to care for. However, there are a few things you can do to help them thrive:
- Water deeply and infrequently. Drought-tolerant plants do not need to be watered as often as other plants. When you do water them, water deeply so that the water reaches the roots.
- Fertilize sparingly. Drought-tolerant plants do not need a lot of fertilizer. Fertilize them lightly once a month during the growing season.
- Mulch around plants. Mulch helps to keep the soil moist and cool, which is beneficial for drought-tolerant plants.
- Cut back plants in the fall. Cutting back plants in the fall helps to reduce water loss and protect them from the cold winter weather.
How to Revive Dried-Out Plants
If your plants have been damaged by drought, there are a few things you can do to try to revive them:
- Water the plants deeply and slowly. Do not overwater the plants, as this can damage the roots.
- Fertilize the plants lightly. Use a balanced fertilizer that is specifically designed for drought-tolerant plants.
- Mulch around the plants. Mulch helps to keep the soil moist and cool, which is beneficial for drought-tolerant plants.
- Cut back the damaged leaves and stems. This will help to reduce water loss and promote new growth.
How to Prevent Drought Damage
There are a few things you can do to help prevent drought damage to your plants:
- Choose drought-tolerant plants. When you are selecting plants for your garden, choose plants that are known to be drought-tolerant.
- Water your plants deeply and infrequently. When you water your plants, water deeply so that the water reaches the roots.
- Fertilize your plants sparingly. Drought-tolerant plants do not need a lot of fertilizer. Fertilize them lightly once a month during the growing season.
- Mulch around your plants. Mulch helps to keep the soil moist and cool, which is beneficial for drought-tolerant plants.
- Cut back your plants in the fall. Cutting back plants in the fall helps to reduce water loss and protect them from the cold winter weather.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your plants healthy and green, even during a drought.
