Here in Vancouver, and in many areas of the world, we are experiencing a drought. Our drinking water reservoirs are dependent on snow melt from the surrounding mountains, and last winter's snow fall was far below average. This will probably mean stage two or higher irrigation restrictions for gardens this summer in Vancouver.
Last year we also experienced a summer drought in Vancouver.
What does this mean for gardens? Often the effects of negative situations take a year to show up in large plants, like trees. The trees appear to be only mildly affected by circumstances initially, but if the detrimental situations persist, trees will be adversely affected. For instance, I noticed the Chestnut trees lining Renfrew at the PNE grounds are already covered in dead leaves. Chestnuts suffer as street trees in normal summers, but are not usually covered in dead leaves in June.
Large trees are able to obtain water from the water table with their roots, but when the water table lowers due to drought, the trees lose this resource.
Ironically, large trees and all vegetation reduce temperatures and create moisture in the air through transpiration. Keeping our plants alive is the best way to reduce drought conditions.
Now is the time to look around your garden and your neighbourhood gardens, to see which plants are performing during this drought. Pay attention to gardens that are not slavishly irrigated, but ones that are irrigated responsibly, i.e.: if the lawn is lush and dripping wet, this is probably not the home of a responsible irrigator. What plants still look good? What plants are looking crispy? Note if the plants are in the shade or full sun.
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