Droughts need everyone, including gardeners to economize on water. Making good use of the water you can use, makes sense.
A stage two drought has hit the State of Georgia. This is remarkably early and is going to make the gardening year rather tough. Currently we are restricted to watering every other day from midnight until 7 in the morning. So the weekend has been an exercise in setting up watering timers in such a way as to water newly planted shrubs and vegetables, whilst at the same time adhering to water restrictions and good watering practices.
Some thing that is important to consider whether you are in a drought or not include using soaker hoses for perennial and shrub beds. These deliver water directly to the root zone of the shrub rather than the leaves. Additionally, a well placed soaker hose, preferably covered with mulch, will not loose as much water to evaporation as an overhead sprinkler.
The time of day that you water is also important. Watering during the noonday or afternoon sun, will again cause much of the surface moisture to evaporate. This is less likely if you water in the early morning, or evening. Although there are concerns with evening watering, such as an increased tendency to fungal and mold problems, they are secondary in comparison to a plant that is wilting and in need of water.
These two practices will not only allow your landscape to weather a drought, but they will also conserve much needed water.
