There is a park just a few miles north of Huntley that my children and I used to go to frequently when they were younger. Its proximity close to the south branch of the Kishwaukee River makes it prone to flooding. We affectionately refer to it simply as Flooded Park. In previous years, more often than not the entire park would be flooded. Many of our trips consisted of simply wading in the water by the front gate, splashing and staring the wide expanse of water covering our favorite park. For old time’s sake, I recently drove through Flooded Park. It is completely dry with the water level in one of the ponds at least 18” lower than past summers. No matter what body of water you see on a regular basis, whether it is Wildflower Lake, the Fox River or even your rain gauge, there is significantly less water in it.
The National Weather Service has declared that McHenry and Kane Counties are experiencing a D2 Severe Drought. We have received 6” less rain from March 12-June 8, 2021 when compared with the mean average of the previous 19 years. The vegetation in our yards is starting to be impacted. Trees, shrubs, perennial flowers and lawns are all starting to show signs of drought stress.
Plants suffer in multiple ways both during and after a drought. The obvious signs of plants being dry include foliage wilting, crispy edges around the leaves or the plant dies completely. The stress from a drought can make a plant weaker and more susceptible to insects and diseases. If not cared for properly during a drought, it may take trees and shrubs several years to recover.
While a drought can have long lasting effects on the plants in our yards, thankfully. there are specific strategies that gardeners can implement to minimize those negative effects. Proper watering techniques are more important than ever this summer. Most plants benefit from about 1” of water per week. This is best done by infrequent thorough soakings. Properly installed soaker or drip hoses deliver water directly to the plant’s root zone. Water bags (sometimes called Tree Gators) can also be placed near the trunk of trees. Once filled, they allow between 15 and 20 gallons of water to seep out slowly. The soaker hoses and tree bags are both excellent ways to care for your plants while implementing water conservation practices. When possible, try to avoid overhead watering devices. Water should be directed as close to the root system of the plants as possible.
In addition to supplement watering, there are several other items that can be done to protect your plants. Mulch naturally helps in the retention of water in your planting beds. A thick layer of about 2-2 ½ inches of mulch is recommended around trees and shrubs. About 1” of mulch is appropriate for perennial flower planting area. If you have less than this, adding mulch now will help shade the soil and keep it cooler, protecting it from the hot summer sun. Soaker hoses can also be installed under the mulch. This method reduces evaporation, conserves water and assists your plants in building a strong root system that will continue to sustain them long after the drought is over.
Fertilizers, by their nature encourage plant growth. During a drought, the use of fertilizers is not recommended. With the lack of water, fertilizers can actually build up in your soil causing root damage.
Weeds steal resources from good plants. Removing weeds will allow flowers, shrubs and trees to have access to more moisture and organic matter.
Removing dead flowers also assists plants that are going through a drought. After a plant produces flowers, it produces seeds. By removing the flowers through deadheading, the plant avoids putting its energy into making seeds. This helps the plant save its energy and therefore requires less moisture.
Turf grasses naturally go dormant during a drought. The application of 1/4-1/2 of an inch of water every 2-4 weeks should be enough to allow the grass to remain alive and come out of dormancy once the drought is over. Mowing lawns higher and on a regular basis is also beneficial. Avoiding the application of lawn fertilizers is also recommended during a drought.
Having an irrigation system may be such a blessing this summer. It is vitally important though that irrigation systems are set up correctly to deliver the appropriate amount of water to the appropriate places. Low profile rain gauges should be purchased and used to measure the amount of water particular areas of your yard are receiving through the use of the irrigation system. In general most plants need about 1” of rain per week. Too much water can damage plants significantly. Frequently sidewalks and driveways are wet after an irrigation system runs. This should be avoided whenever possible.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
