By Brenda Erdahl
Warm weather and little rain have pushed much of Minnesota including Wright County into a “Moderate Drought” according to the United States Drought Monitor. As of late last week, 75 percent of the state was under the Moderate Drought designation.
In Maple Lake, city officials have initiated a watering ban during certain hours of the day. The ban allows even numbered homes to water on even numbered days of the week and vice versa for odd numbered homes. In addition, city officials recommend watering only between the hours of 4 and 7 a.m. and 6 and 10 p.m. as midday watering can inhibit root development and overnight watering can promote mold.
The lack of rain and restrictions may have homeowners, especially those with gardens, anxious about the survival of their vegetables and flowers.
According to Kylee Sherod, Wright County’s University of Minnesota Extension Intern, the average vegetable garden needs one inch of rainfall each week to be productive.
“When it rains, plants absorb nutrients through their roots and transport them throughout the plant. If there is no water, the plants do not receive essential nutrients. This means your garden needs your help,” she said.
Unfortunately, restrictions on watering can make giving your garden what it need a challenge. Sherod offers these tips:
• Even if the topsoil is dry, there still may be enough moisture below the surface. To determine if you should water, dig down about two inches. If it is dry, water.
• Try to water early in the morning and directly to the soil of the plant, rather than through sprinklers. Doing this minimizes evaporation and allows the plant to absorb more water. Drip irrigation is extremely beneficial in this type of weather as it waters directly on the soil and can target specific areas, she said.
• Plants require direct water for their roots, not water on their leaves. When plants get water on their leaves, especially in the evening, it can lead to diseases. Low and slow watering is best for plants during this heat.
• When in the garden, be sure to manage weeds as they can compete with your plants for water and nutrients. This summer’s heat has encouraged fast weed growth.
• Hold off on pruning during hot, dry weather as this can cause plants even more stress. It is best to wait for the weather to cool down and then always apply water to the base of the plant when pruning to reduce the chance of infection, she said.
For more information on gardening in drought conditions, visit extension.umn.edu and search “garden watering.” Wright County residents can also call (763) 682-7394 for questions related to yard and garden items.
Keep up to date on the Maple Lake City watering ban at ci.maple-lake.mn.us.