Summer is here and that means hot, dry weather. Unfortunately, this can wreak havoc on your landscape design, however, there are several ways to help prepare your property for those drier conditions. Consider these tips to keep your yard looking lush. We’ll be back next month with more tips in the second part of this two- part series on drought-proofing your landscape.
Mulching your garden is one of the most effective strategies to retain soil moisture and can give your garden the extra boost it needs to survive a drought. Mulch provides an extra layer of protection and helps to keep the soil cool and moist longer, protecting your plants’ roots. In addition, it also helps to suppress weed growth.
For the best results, apply mulch to your garden between 2 and 6 inches deep. If you are using mulch with smaller particles, you can use a bit less and go shallower. For mulch with larger pieces, use more and go deeper. Overall, it never hurts to use more than less when it comes to mulching.
There are several varieties of mulch you can use. Any kind will do, but certain kinds do retain moisture longer and benefit your plants more. Organic mulches are an excellent option as they provide additional nutrients to your plants while keeping the soil below cool and moist. Organic mulches include pine needles, straw, bark, peat moss, compost, wood shavings, and grass clippings. Inorganic mulch works well too, but does not provide the nutrients that organic mulch would. Examples of inorganic mulch include rock, gravel, and plastic film.
While water loving plants such as irises and daylilies can be tempting, it may be more practical to choose plants that can withstand hot, dry conditions. Here is a list of some flowers and other plants that thrive in Utah’s dry climate.
Bougainvillea
Portulaca
Gaillardia
Verbena
Oleander
Sage
Poppy
Sedum
Desert Rose
Lavender
Red Valerian
Yarrow
Russian Sage
Euphorbia
Rose Campion
Rock Daisy
If you have a vegetable garden and are planning to have one, consider choosing plant varieties with smaller leaves. Large leaved plants lose water quicker than smaller leaved varieties. In addition, shallow rooted greens, such as lettuce, do not fare well in substantial drought. If you must have these plants, consider growing them in a pot and locating them in a cool, shady spot in your yard.
This concludes part 1 of our blog series on Drought Proofing Your Landscape. Please check out part 2 next month.
At Aeroscape, we have experienced landscape professionals ready to help you keep your property beautiful, drought or not. Call Aeroscape at (801) 567-2383 or click on our Contact an Expert green arrow on any page of our website to get in touch with us today.
