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Dastardly Darn Drought!

July 26th, 2012 at 03:15 pm

We are considered in a drought like most of the Midwest. Our city lake has dropped to such an extent that we are now on mandatory water restrictions. So far, the water restrictions let people water their gardens and lawns on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. If we don't ge some rain and the oppressive heat doesn't subside, that will probably be cut as well. In the meantime, no watering of any kind can be done on any other days, even with a sprinkling can.

DH is worried about his small vegetable garden. Before the restrictions, he was watering his tomatoes, peppers, and herbs each morning. he's been out over 1 1/2 hours today trying to get things thoroughly soaked.

I totally get why we need to restrict water. Drinking water is vital. It just means many of us may lose our gardens which means higher food prices. I see the national news is now predicting higher grocery prices of at least 4%.

That rate hike may mean some folks won't be eating very much.

Let's pray the drought breaks soon.

6 Responses to “Dastardly Darn Drought!”

  1. patientsaver Says:
    1343321078

    I think the rule of thumb is that 2 inches of water are needed a week in a veggie garden. It doesn't matter if it comes daily or 3x a week so you should be fine as long as you can water on a couple of days and soak deeply.

  2. patientsaver Says:
    1343321299

    Do you own your own home? Can you get a few rain barrels and hook up to downspouts to collect roof runoff for the garden?

  3. baselle Says:
    1343325300

    If haven't already, you definitely want to mulch plants after deep watering. In a drought, you wouldn't want to lose any precious water to evaporation.

  4. LuckyRobin Says:
    1343333495

    They should eliminate grass watering altogether. In drought situations it is dumb to let people water their lawns or flowers. Lawns will grow back when there is rain again and flowers are a luxury in drought. Food gardens should be allowed to be watered until it is dire. Can you save your grey water (from the dishwasher or the clothes washer or from a bath) and use that to water? It's waste water anyway, not new water. I'd ask the city.

  5. creditcardfree Says:
    1343334940

    We received .5 inches of rain last night. I hope some rain heads your way soon!

  6. rob62521 Says:
    1343400294

    Dear CCF: Very happy for you! We didn't get any, but here's hoping we all get some.

    The rain barrel is a good idea except we haven't had any rain for almost two months. A friend has one and she said with just a couple of potted plants, she is out of water.

    Good idea on the dishwater, Lucky Robin.

    Baselle, most of the garden except the tomatoes is mulched.

    Thanks for all the great ideas!

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