What is drought? Drought is when nature lessens the usual amount of rain during any one season. We are experiencing this right now in Texas. There are parts that are receiving rain but high temperatures of 97 degrees and above while other parts are not receiving hardly any rain with excessive temperatures reaching way above 99 degrees.

What does this have to do with bulb gardening? Simply this, in times of drought, there becomes this requirement to look closely and pay attention to your garden, especially, those who have just begun planting season. Those who have already planted, this is a time to adjust watering methods to accommodate your various gardening circumstances as well. It is in these times where drought conditions can kill a garden in a matter of days. Just the other day, I noticed how withered several of my plants had become and seems can hardly hang on. Mind you, these are drought tolerant plants.

It becomes necessary to understand just what the term “drought” should mean to a gardener. It means, “Hey, be on the lookout consistently in your garden!” In most parts of the country, this extended period of dealing with drought, has made many gardeners wary of the conditions to which their plants have to endure. On the other hand, in different parts of the country, there are also extensive rains leaving behind hardly any notion of what was created as a garden or even a planting farm. Nevertheless, with the many conditions a garden has to undergo, there are steps to take to help make certain (remember, nothing is guaranteed), that most of your garden makes it through these tough times with the pounding down of the elements.

Where I reside, rainfall is not reliable in the summer months. Our winters (what little we have) are when we seem to receive torrential rains. Although last year this time, we were receiving 29 days of rain consecutively from each month lasting from April through July. Everything drought tolerant in my garden almost died and now this year, those plants that love moisture, some of them have died.

Anyway, having plants that are “drought tolerant,” (any plant that can withstand conditions of excessive dryness, heat and little if any water), are still the smart choice these days considering the earth is warming up tremendously every year. Therefore, be a smart gardener and make note of a few tips whether you have bulbs, perennials or just annuals, on how to deal with drought:

Water the roots instead of the leaves (there is no moisture retention through leaves) and water early in the day and at longer intervals because this give roots the essentials needed to stretch and flourish;

Stop fertilizing (fertilizer just tells the plant to put on additional growth which means more watering), this in turn stresses the plant even more;

If fertilizing is necessary, use a slow release granular fertilizer, (it releases nitrogen slowly sustaining a consistent supply over a longer period of time) especially if bulbs are not growing well and are planted in containers;

Stop pruning (this too, tells the plant to grow excessively) as hot temperatures will only decrease growth) – a defeated purpose wouldn’t you say?;

Stay on your pest control and look out for aphids, spider mites and thrips that love these type conditions;

Re-mulch if you live in a hot state like mine because the excessive heat has worn out the new and freshly scented mulch applied earlier in March. This re-do will slow evaporation of any moisture that is applied whether by chance be it rainfall or whenever you water your garden;

Wait until the fall to plant unless you’re very interested in planting fall flowering bulbs and in that case, wait until you have an overcast sky one day or late into the evening. Be sure to water faithfully. If you stick to your regular water routine of every 7-10 days or if temperatures have exceeded 90 degrees, then I suggest every 5 days, your bulbs should have enough of what is required to flourish on into the upcoming autumn season.

Though it appears, that late winter and early spring seem to be the showy, stunning display for true bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers, don’t be discouraged. There are some that tolerate drought: the alliums and iris (that dominate the summer months). Sedum and the infamous dahlia (that take over) once autumn sets in, phlox that will bloom non-stop from mid-summer into the fall season, and cyclamen sings in its tradition of stunning color and vivid foliage with a scent to bring us into the winter, holiday season.

As my Grandma used to say, “speak for yourself” and in saying that, this of course, is all depending upon your specific planting zone. Nevertheless, there are many options to consider.

There will always be plants that will survive in difficult dry conditions and some that will flourish the more it rains, however, every plant will need to be supplemented per its needs at some point and time and that is when the smart gardener, the concerned gardener and the consistent gardener comes on the scene. A fragment of extra TLC (tender-loving- care) and the suggestions given can assist in the health of your garden.