‘Gardening through a drought is an exercise in patience, observation, and gentle intervention,’ says columnist
Ontario is in the grip of an unusually dry summer. Some areas are teetering on the edge of “extreme drought” while relentless heat accelerates the evaporation of precious moisture from soil and leaves.
Gardens are wilting, young trees are dying, lawns have faded to brittle straw, and farmers are facing another challenging year.
The air feels heavier, as though it’s holding its breath, waiting for rain that doesn’t come — pushing gardens, trees, and wildlife to their limits.
In my own garden, I see it in the thirst of the soil and the way plants cling to what little moisture remains. I see it in the daily procession of birds to our water baths — robins, chickadees, nuthatches, and goldfinches — each stopping for a sip, a dip, and perhaps a moment’s relief from the heat.
Gardening through a drought is an exercise in patience, observation, and gentle intervention. It’s not about forcing growth, but about working with the conditions at hand — conserving water where we can, protecting the most vulnerable plants, and giving nature a hand without pushing her further into stress.
Indigenous teachings remind us water is life — not a resource, but a relative.
In Anishinaabe tradition, there’s a practice of making an offering before taking from nature, a reminder that balance is everything. Maybe that means offering a pinch of tobacco to the soil before watering, or simply pausing to say “miigwech” (thank you) before you turn on the tap.
But gratitude alone won’t save your tomatoes. So, here’s what we can do right now to help our gardens — and the creatures who share them — survive this parched season.
1. Water like you mean it (but not every day)
Forget the daily spritz. Deep, infrequent watering encourages roots to stretch down where the soil stays moist.
For vegetables, shrubs, and perennials, aim to soak the soil six to eight inches deep once or twice a week. Trees, especially young ones, need 10 to 15 litres weekly. Always water in the early morning when the air is cool and evaporation is minimal. Apply water slowly, close to the base of the plant, so the soil becomes saturated and the water doesn’t pour off into surrounding ground.
Science backs this: Plants with deep roots are more drought tolerant because they tap into moisture reservoirs shallow-rooted plants can’t reach. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation are your best friends here — they deliver water right to the roots without wasting a drop.
2. Mulch like a pro
Mulch is more than a moisture saver — it’s a living blanket that feeds the soil as it breaks down. Apply five to eight centimetres of straw, shredded leaves, wood chips, or even dried grass clippings around your plants. Keep it a few centimetres from stems and trunks to prevent rot.
Mulch cools the soil, suppresses weeds, and slows evaporation. Research shows it can reduce water loss by up to 25 per cent — which, in a drought, is basically the plant version of air conditioning.
3. Shade and shelter are your allies
Layer your plants: Grow a mix of heights and sizes so taller plants can shade those beneath them, reducing soil evaporation.
Track your sun patterns: Notice where the sun moves in your garden during the day and, if possible, move containers and planters into shaded spots during the hottest hours.
Use nurse logs: Downed trees can be repurposed as edging or natural features. As they decompose, they release micronutrients, shelter beneficial insects, and hold water through the season.
Plant and protect trees: Trees cool their surroundings, add humidity, and shade delicate plants that would wither in full sun. In urban areas, they also help reduce the heat island effect.
Skip water-intensive tasks like washing your car — and give that water to your trees instead.
4. Choose and cherish your survivors
Now’s the time to prioritize. Baby fruit trees, newly planted shrubs, young veggies, and any perennials you put in this spring should get top priority for water. Established natives — like coneflower, black-eyed Susan, bergamot, and butterfly milkweed — are naturally drought tolerant. Let them ride it out so you can focus your effort where it counts.
Drought-tolerant pollinator garden. | Image supplied by Monika Rekola
If a plant can’t survive without daily watering, it’s worth asking whether it’s the best use of your time and resources during a drought. But if it’s a must-have — a plant that brings you pure joy, like my own beloved hydrangeas — choose varieties that can handle dry spells with grace. Panicle and oakleaf hydrangeas, such as ‘limelight’ and ‘quick fire,’ are among the most drought-tolerant types.
Maybe this is the season to start a gradual shift toward more resilient, climate-appropriate choices.
5. Protect the edible gold
Food crops are especially vulnerable in drought because reduced moisture can affect both yield and flavour.
Tomatoes, peppers, beans, and cucumbers need steady moisture during flowering and fruiting to avoid blossom-end rot or bitter fruit.
Parched peppers — Without steady moisture, peppers wilt fast, signalling it’s time for a deep, cooling drink. | Image supplied by Monika Rekola
6. Skip the fertilizer and put the pruners away
In a drought, fertilizer can do more harm than good. Without enough moisture, plants can’t properly absorb nutrients, which increases the risk of fertilizer burn. The salts in fertilizers can also dehydrate plants further, leaving them even more vulnerable to stress and disease.
The same goes for pruning. Cutting back shrubs or trees now forces them to push out new growth — growth they simply can’t support when water is scarce. Drought-stressed plants are already fighting to keep their existing foliage alive. Save the pruning for when regular rainfall returns.
7. Keep up weed patrol
Staying on top of them means more moisture left for the plants you actually want to thrive.
8. Help the winged and the wild
Birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects are also struggling. A shaded bird bath with fresh water can be a lifeline.
For bees and butterflies, put out a shallow dish with stones for safe perching.
Look beyond this season: If you know drought will keep visiting each summer, this is your nudge toward change and an opportunity — to rethink how we garden for the future.
Monika Rekola is a certified landscape designer and horticulturist, passionate about gardening, sustainable living and the great outdoors. Contact her at [email protected].
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