Your garden in the drought
Many of us can remember the drought in 1976 (I was living in Manchester at the time and I promise you that people fried eggs on the pavement - just because you could!). Well we have now experienced the driest July since 1911, with temperatures of over 40°C, a shocking result of drastic climate change. Tackling the global implications of this is an extremely daunting thought, but, bringing it closer to home, what can we do responsibly about our slowly withering gardens?
The first thing is how much water can you conserve and re-use from everyday life in the house? None of this is easy or particularly glamorous but if you have left over water from, say rinsing fruit and veg, can you collect it for your parched plants? If you don’t use much (eco-friendly) washing-up liquid can you utilise that to spray your plants against greenfly? Could you stand in a large bowl when you take a shower and carry it carefully downstairs? - yes, I know this idea seems laborious, and possibly unsafe, but needs must. In the longer term, could you rig up a piped water collection from domestic use? My forward-thinking father made his own rather unsightly system of pipes from an upstairs bathroom into a water butt below 25 years ago. If your small children and grandchildren are desperate to cool off in a paddling pool, cover it when not in use to prevent evaporation and re-use the water - they might even enjoy a game of ‘giving the plants a drink’. ERA would welcome any other clever ideas.
I am assuming that you have a water butt for when the rain eventually returns and when it does, only water early in the day and in the evening. Re-use some of the inevitable plastic we all still have to line plant pots before you plant or re-pot as this reduces evaporation. Mulch, mulch and mulch again, but only apply your mulch to soil that is already well soaked. You can buy (plastic) water-dispensing spikes for plant pots but could you improvise your own?
There will be garden casualties this year but thinking ahead to autumn planting, please choose drought-friendly plants. Most Mediterranean plants are genetically programmed to survive on restricted water, although many of them cannot be described as ‘native’ so choose your stance. As a general guide silver-leaved plants do well but here is a short list of suggestions: Santolina spp (cotton lavender), Euphorbia spp, Phlomis (with a bonus of architectural seed heads throughout the winter), bee-friendly lavender and catmint, Cistus, Hebe, Helichrysum italicum (curry plant), most Salvias, Sedums, Eryngium, Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian sage), Eryngium (sea holly). Larger shrubs include Romneya coulteri (Californian tree poppy), Buddleja, Syringa (lilac) and bamboo (although some of mine are not doing well). Even Agapanthus will thrive, in borders and in pots – in fact as they like a restricted root run, pots are ideal. Planting seeds rather than vulnerable shrubs might maximise opportunities but they will need tender loving care (i.e.water). Pretty poppies are an exception since they just pop up everywhere once in your garden, as do green and bronze fennel and purple Verbena bonariensis.
Drought tolerant vegetables are slightly trickier but this is an opportunity to grow more exotica such as peppers, aubergines, okra and chillies. Asparagus, Swiss chard, mustard greens and globe artichokes are not too fussy and legumes are generally accepting of less water. Courgettes will survive and beans have a short growing season and therefore might suffer less. Even tomatoes, once established don’t mind although the fruits will be smaller (but more intensely flavoured). Again, mulching is critical and could you erect a shade cloth to reduce the drying power of the sun? Planting in groups rather than in rows can also help to conserve water. Finally, check the specific variety as some will mange better than others with less water.
Finally, look out for some of the on trend gardening books on dry gardens. Beth Chatto was exploring this many years ago and her books are excellent but I can also recommend the RHS book, Drought-Resistant Gardening and Tony Hall’s Gardening with Drought-Friendly Plants. Maureen Gilmour is American but her book Growing Vegetables in Drought, Desert and Dry Times is informative.