The damage is done . Most part of Vermont experience a drier than common summer this class that impress many perennials , trees , and shrub . It does n’t matter how much rainwater we get now . It may be too late for some industrial plant .
So , just what can you expect now ? Is there anything you could do to help the still survive ?
If you have very dry web site , like arenaceous soil , medians near paving material , or new plantings , you may have already drop off some plant . There ’s not much you may do here except replant and serve plants get established in future days .
But do n’t be too hasty . A little forbearance may go a long direction . What appear to be idle may actually have living tissue underneath the bark or in the solid ground . Scratch the barque of Tree or shrubs to see if it is still fleeceable underneath . It ’s ripe to await , if you may , until next spring and see if these plants riffle out .
The same applies to woody plant life that are live on but may appear to have “ dead ” leg . Again , apply the fingernail test to see if these still have some life . If so , wait until springiness to prune . For perennial , clip off obviously dead growth and branch .
If the whole plant appear to be dead , mark it to remember its localization , as it may bring forth new shoots next spring . embrown on the leave of absence may not be aesthetically pleasing but leave these are they still are serve the flora .
Whether you have a sandlike or heavier soil , top dressing with compost will avail . constituent affair is key to grease health and ground retain moisture . Generally , the more , the better . This also will help lawn that may have stand or died during a drought .
speak of lawn , you may wish to rent an aerator or get some aerator blades for a mini - cultivator to help heavy , adust soils . For Lucius Clay , as well as loose arenaceous soils , you might require to top seed grasses in early twilight prior to topdressing softly with compost . If seeding , verify you could keep lawns watered until the unexampled seminal fluid germinate and commence to establish .
Keep all plants watered as well as potential . This mean a skillful soaking . Light watering fosters shallow roots , which are quite susceptible to drought . If you only have a few perennial , or a bush , watering by deal or a slow trickle from the hosiery may sour . For a whole perennial seam , overhead sprinkler are often the best . Just pee betimes in the day to earmark leafage to dry before Nox .
From late September into October keep evergreens , such as rhododendron , well watered . This will aid them get through wintertime with a lower limit browning of leave-taking .
Soaker hoses also work on many repeated beds and shrubs . These are porous India rubber hoses that allow body of water to soak right into the root area and not on foliation . These do n’t foster leaf diseases , and they do n’t desolate water to evaporation and other country as do overhead sprinkler .
Do n’t fertilize woody flora in gloam as fecundate in early fall may promote non - stalwart emergence , and in late nightfall it does little good . However , many herbaceous perennials will reply to fall fertilizer ( an constituent , dull release form work well ) by going into the winter hardier and with more food reserves for the following year .
Just keep in mind , too , that what happens one year with woody plants , such as this twelvemonth ’s drought focus , often shows up the following class or even for several year after . You may see plants with less vigor , increasing dieback such as from winter injury , or more susceptibleness to diseases and pestilence .
Many woody and herbaceous perennial that bloom early in the season set their bud the previous year . These admit lilac , peony , and many daylilies . Even the recent bloomers may have less growth next year as a upshot of the stresses this year . So , keep an oculus on these , and if they are not at their best this come in yr , do n’t desperation but again , have patience !
If in any impart year , your plants do n’t bloom or perform well , ask yourself what bechance last year . Were there stresses ? Or , did the plants bloom quite well and now are pick out a twelvemonth to recoup ? Understanding what take place the year before will help oneself you provide proper maintenance – and supererogatory assistance if needed – for your works this yr .
By Dr. Leonard Perry Extension Greenhouse and Nursery Crops Specialist University of Vermont
