| Yucca (Yucca spp.), Gregg dalea (Dalea greggii) and spineless prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) will thrive in your landscape, even during a drought. |
Your landscape may be in for a rough year if drought projections for 2006 are on target. Here are some steps you can take now and in the coming months to help your yard or garden survive the devastation of a drought.
- During a drought the responsibility for watering falls on the landowner with little or no help from Mother Nature, so avoid adding or relocating plants if possible. New or moved plants require more water than established plants. Plus, all plants respond much better to natural rainwater than to treated water. Instead, put your money and time into “hardscaping” – developing permanent features such as pathways, rock walls, fences, arbors and yard art.
- If your landscape doesn’t get at least an inch of rain in February and again in March, use your irrigation system or sprinklers to soak your yard thoroughly once each month. Use a sprinkler measuring device or a simple cup or jar to make sure your landscape receives an inch of moisture while watering.
- Apply mulch in your landscape beds this spring and avoid frequent, shallow watering that moistens your mulch instead of your plant roots. Instead, water your plants deeply and less frequently during spring and summer to lower water use, improve plant health and save money.
- Consider installing a low-volume or drip irrigation system around your shrubs and perennial beds. Existing irrigation risers can be converted to a drip irrigation system at a reasonable cost. Drip irrigation is a more efficient way to water plants, especially during hot, dry and windy months when spray irrigation sprinklers lose water at a much higher rate due to evaporation and wind.
- Consider using native and well-adapted plants in your landscape, especially when replacing those non-native species that can’t handle drought. Native and adaptive plants are hardier and more able to tolerate the sporadic rainfall patterns of Central Texas.
 Elizabeth Drozda-Freeman is a conservation landscape specialist for LCRA. She can be reached at 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 2230, or elizabeth.drozda-freeman@lcra.org.
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