Water scarcity demands innovative gardening strategies: Testing drought resistance under arid conditions
Unleashing Your Garden's Resilience: Surviving a Dry Spring
As we step into the scorching heat of 2023 and watch heavy smoke obscure the sun, it's more than just gardening that feels parched. The garden itself is a battleground against the elements. With a whopping 300 days of sunshine a year and rainfall scarce, the spring season tends to be exceptionally dry in Alberta. But dry spells don't have to spell disaster for your garden. Here's how to navigate the challenges posed by a dry spring.
Embrace the Powder Kegs: Snow and Snowmelt
In the land of frost, winter's moisture comes in the form of snow, not rain. With the last snowfall melting away and the first rains a distant prospect, it's a race against time to keep your soil moist for as long as possible.
Snow fences and simple pallets can be your garden's secret weapon in catching as much snow as possible. A snow fence or shelter belt will have a similar effect, preventing the snow from blowing away and preserving that precious moisture for your garden. Swells, built on slopes, can also help retain runoff from snowmelt and keep moisture within reach.
Sowing the Seeds of Success: Early Planting
With the desert-like conditions between snowmelt and the first real rains, it's too cold to grow anything delicate. However, greens, root vegetables, and onions can already be planted early. They can withstand a bit of frost and will have a head start before the season gets too dry for germination.
Though we cover planting times in our article "When to Plant What," you can start planting as early as you can, taking advantage of those fleeting moments of moisture. Spinach, for instance, fares better when planted during the fall, while dry springs spell disappointment for its growth. Read more about growing overwintering spinach here.
Getting a Head Start with Soaked Seeds
Sowing your seeds indoors can help reduce the demand for water in the garden. Start your seeds early indoors, allowing them to get a head start before they go into the ground. To further ensure a successful germination, soak or sprout your seeds before planting them in the garden. This provides the initial moisture seeds need, decreasing their reliance on water from rains or irrigation.
We've seen great results with sowing carrot seeds in corn starch, a method that not only helps with even distribution and reduces thinning but also provides moisture around the seeds.
quenching your Thirst: Watering the Garden
To water your garden, you'll need water—a scarce commodity in dry climates. Scouting out ways to conserve water is essential. Our 20'x30' garage roof provides a good amount of water during light rains, which we collect for use in the garden. In the greenhouse, we have a water tank filled with water that serves for watering and, in addition, as a thermal mass used for cooling and heating purposes.
Mindful of water usage, even with a water tank holding over 4000 liters (1056 gallons), in some years, we do run out of water.
MULCHing It Up
Mulching is your garden's best friend in a dry climate. Organic materials like compost, straw, wood chips, and grass clippings can serve as effective mulch, helping conserve moisture in the soil. Mulch can't create water where none exists, but it can keep the soil moist for longer periods, reducing the need for watering.
A no-till garden should always be mulched. Mulch can also be added after planting in a tilled garden. Remember to adjust the thickness of the mulch according to your weather conditions to prevent it from preventing rainwater from reaching the soil.
Embracing the Elements: Wind and Shade
A dry spring is often accompanied by strong winds that can further dry out the soil. A windbreak fence or hedge can help mitigate this. A windbreak provides up to 10 times the wind shelter (up to 20 times partial protection). A 4-foot-high wind barrier will protect 40 feet (approximately 12 meters) of gardening space. During heavy spring winds, it can be challenging to keep the mulch in place. Use boards or fence posts to weigh down the mulch, as seen in the picture above.
Young seedlings need protection from the intense sun during dry spells. Use a shade cloth or frost blanket to provide the necessary protection from the sun. These blankets can also be left on not only for shading during the day but also for providing warmth to the plants during cool spring nights, striking the perfect balance for their growth.
Show Us Your Moves: Share Your Tips
That's our take on overcoming the challenges posed by a dry spring in the garden. Do you have strategies that have worked wonders for you? Share them in the comments below.
Join the Green Thumb Community:
Follow us on our website, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for latest updates and gardening tips.
Additional Gardening Posts You Might Enjoy:
- How to Deal with Garden Weeds
- Rainwater Harvesting for Use in the Garden
- To Prune or Not to Prune Tomato Plants
- Growing a Hydroponic Tower Garden in a Cold Climate
- How to Support Tomato Plants
- Transplanting Tomato Plants into the Ground
- Hardening off Seedlings the Easy Way
- How to Transplant Seedlings into the Garden
- How to Soak or Sprout Seeds Before Planting
- Soil For Seedlings, Container Gardening, and Raised Beds
As we embrace the challenges of a dry spring in a cold climate, utilizing raised beds in our gardens becomes essential. These beds can be constructed with a geodome or traditional methods, allowing for efficient use of space and improved drainage.
In such conditions, the harvest season may be extended through the use of greenhouses, providing a shield against the harsh elements and offering a conducive environment for plants to grow.
For successful planting, consider adopting the no-till method, reducing soil compaction and conserving precious water. Utilize seeds that have been soaked or sprouted before planting, which promotes rapid growth and adaptability in the early stages.
In dry climates, mindful watering is crucial. Consider designing systems for rainwater harvesting, or using water-efficient irrigation techniques to keep your garden hydrated.
Mulching is a vital practice in a dry climate, preserving moisture in the soil and preventing runoff. Organic materials such as compost, straw, wood chips, and grass clippings can be used effectively as mulch in the garden.
Additionally, implementing windbreaks and providing shade for young plants can protect them from the harsh effects of dry, windy conditions.
Join the home-and-garden lifestyle community for more tips, Follow us on our website, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Share your own strategies for thriving in a dry spring in the comments below.
