The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) has deemed the Chesapeake region as "abnormally dry". This is the beginning level of a scale that ranges through several steps up to "exceptional drought". This means that we have seen less than normal precipitation for the year and we are experiencing the beginning of drought conditions. If these conditions continue, which they are expected to do through June, then we could be declared as officially being in a drought and start seeing water restrictions. Don't you wish you had a rain barrel right about now?
So how do you prepare for drought conditions and potential water restrictions? You say that you really do not want your yard looking like a burnt mess? Try Xeriscaping! Xeriscaping is landscaping or gardening in such a way as to encourage water conservation. Xeriscaping not only saves water, but reduces the amount of maintenance required to take care of your landscaping. Fundamentals of Xeriscaping include water conservation, soil improvement and amendment, the use of appropriate plantings, and mulch. This does not mean that you have to populate your beds and gardens with cactus. There are plenty of drought resistant plants and flowers that grow well in this region whether we are in a drought or not. Be sure to apply xeriscaping principles to your vegetable garden as well. Your food plants might not be drought resistant, but you can certainly use mulch and appropriate watering techniques such as drip irrigation to conserve water. Check out the link below to get tips on xeriscaping and see a list of plants, trees and shrubs you might use in your yard to help conserve water. Good luck!
Grow Xeriscape
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