Gardening is just as schizo as everything else in life these days.

[Denninmi]

Honestly, I wish I knew what to do? I start going in one direction with my big grand vision for my yard, and Mother Nature pulls a 180 on me.

Last year was the wettest year ever recorded in Detroit. So, things were lush and happy.

Made me think about redoing beds, putting in new and different plantings. I did a fair amount of that this year.

And of course, it hasn't rained worth a hoot for about 6 weeks now. I spent a good solid 5 hours yesterday just watering things, both containers and in-ground new plantings.

Makes me second guess some of my plant choices. Maybe I shouldn't be planting things like hydrangeas and Rhodies that need a lot of extra water during drought?

Maybe I should do more xeriscape plants like sedums, yuccas, artemesia, fragrant sumac, junipers, buddleias?

I wish Michigan could just pick a climate and go with it!

[beac]

1. I'm getting up early these days to water the garden b/c it is HOT

by 9am.

I just planted a beautiful clematis a couple of weeks ago and it is looking a bit stressed, even though it only gets sun from 7am-1pm.

We have had some rain, but when it comes it comes as torrential flooding downpours that beat everything up.

Even the stuff of the porch dries out fast.

My sedums, snapdragons and dianthus are the only ones unfazed by this wacky weather.

It's going to be a long summer...

[Denninmi]

2. Well, I guess if I want to guarantee that we don't have future drought.

I should fill the yard with every possible zone5/6 plant in the High Country Gardens catalog with the X'ed out raindrop symbol next to it (the species that MUST have dry conditions).

If I plant all cactus, it no doubt will start raining like the wet side of Maui or Kauai.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. My life the next five days will be watering - 9 AM, 2 PM, 5 PM.

Just keeping stuff alive is the thing.....this is going to be brutal

[Denninmi]

4. Well, at least I don't have anything that requires multiple times a day.

Most of my containers are 14" and up, many are tubs/barrels. So once a day does it. The few smaller things like impatiens baskets and bags are in the shade and still once a day does it.

Oh yeah, seems like I've got enough drip irrigation parts sitting on shelves in the garage to water a small farm in California. I just never have gotten around to installing it.

Hope springs eternal, maybe eventually.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. Some of mine are that large - but an 8 foot tall tomato plant on concrete in 105 degrees, full sun -

you get the picture!

[beac]

6. This is the time of year when I start to feel like I am the servant of my plants.

Can't sleep late! Plants must be watered early!
Can't go out for an early dinner! Plants might need more water!
Can't forget to check each and every plant daily for bugs/disease/some special need it might need met!

I am supposed to go out of town for 10 days in August and I'm already nervous that my housesitter won't be able to keep everything alive b/c I'll feel funny asking him to become a plant butler for a week and a half. "Yeah.. Imma need you to water 2x AND ask each and every growing thing what you can do to make its life more comfortable on daily basis. And don't forget the 25 houseplants and rooting cuttings!"

Sad but true: The first thing I think of when we get a weekend invitation during the summer: "Who will water the plants???" (The beloved pets can go to then kennel which they think is the Ritz b/c the food is free-flowing and the staff babies them to the point of absurdity.)

[Curmudgeoness]

7. I just garden sat/pet sat for a neighbor who had a great idea.

She had someone else come in the mornings, and me in the evenings. So it didn't seem to be quite as bad for either of us. If you can find more than one person to help out, they can watch out for each other and not feel as burdened.

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. indeed! thanks for sharing that great idea....

just be sure that the helper is confident enough to actually do what they need to do! We've had some timid garden sitters who "don't want to kill or hurt anything" - hence underwatered and unpicked garden was found upon return!

[BlueToTheBone]

8. How about a straw mulch?

Mulch all around the plants and mound it up around the pots. Wet the straw and it will cool down the concrete and help maintain the moisture in the pots.

[NRaleighLiberal]

10. that is a good idea....may look into it/do it. just came in from the big watering - not too bad,

took an hour to do everything - back yard, deck, big garden, driveway garden with all pots. Now off to the farmers market!

[BlueToTheBone]

11. How about a drip system?

I don't know if this is kosher, but this is where I get all my drip supplies.
ww.dripworks.com

[NRaleighLiberal]

12. I would, but it is in the driveway - so would have to be taken down and set back up each year from

scratch...actually I enjoy doing the daily walk through, since it is mostly research - lots of new/breeding/trial varieties.

[BlueToTheBone]

13. Well, then, mulch away!

I would put straw on the concrete and set the plants on the straw and mulch all around the pots and up to the brim. Don't cover the stem. Water the pots and the straw all around. I'll bet you can skip 2pm. If you get bugs, spray the straw with pennyroyal, cedar or some strong essential oil. 1 oz per a couple of gallons. It will send them away. If you need to eradicate, add some dish soap.