26. November 2006

drought tolerant and native plants

As the fall season turns into winter and the rains have begun, take this opportunity to plant native species which are drought tolerant and drought tolerant plants.
Now is the time those plants make root growth and become established before the coming spring season and subsequent summertime dry period.
With certain plant families such as poppies, you need to be careful not to disturb the roots too much, but with most other plants, open the root ball either by teasing open the outer circling roots or cutting the root ball by scoring the root mass to free up tightly growing roots. This will encourage new roots to grow out into the native soil and become established by spring-summer next year.
It is also important to plant the root ball at the same level or slightly higher than surrounding soil grade. Most plants do not like to be planted deeper than the root crown. You can mulch the soil around the roots in the spring to help conserve moisture and lessen higher soil temperatures in summer.
In the prepration of your planting hole, you can amend the backfill soil with organic matter if it is heavy or poor in nutrients. It is better to make the hole wider than the root ball and just a bit less in depth of the root ball. That way, as the soil settles after waterings, the plant will eventually rest at the correct soil level.With native plant speices, it is important to plant slightly high since many are intolerant of poor drainage and appreciate the higher planting as they grow.
All native plant and drought tolerant species need regular watering in the first year or two to get them established. Remember that they are coming from a nursery environment which means they have had the best of care and are well watered with good soil drainage. Those roots need to go down deep in order to tap into lower ground level water before they can cope with severe drought and it takes a little time for the plant to get established. The plant will need regular watering until that time.
Drought Tolerant Plants • 0 Comments