Most of Northern Illinois is in moderate or severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor website. The drought is likely coming for your garden, writes The Morton Arboretum's Beth Botts.
At the Arboretum, only about half as much rain was recorded this spring as in the drought year of 2012. In fact, it was the driest spring since 1936 — a year when nationwide drought created the Dust Bowl in the Great Plains.Although early July brought 2 to 3 inches of rain to some parts of the Chicago region, it was not enough to end the drought and plants are still under threat.
To conserve water in a drought year, let the lawn do what comes naturally and go dormant. Give it just about 1/2 inch of water every 2 to 3 weeks — enough to keep the root system alive without causing the lawn to stay green. If the drought becomes even more severe and the grassroots die, it will be easier to replace a lawn than to replace other plants such as trees and shrubs.Drought damage can affect trees for years to come.
“Trees need water in summer to form their leaf and flower buds for next year,” she said. “Drought-stressed trees may have fewer leaves and flowers next year.” Trees will struggle to form fruit later in the summer, and they will also be more vulnerable to pests and diseases.
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