HOME DECOR Going Native How to create a drought-tolerant garden in Northern New England

The summer of 2022 was a dry one for the northeastern US. While New Hampshire and Vermont didn't experience the droughts and grassfires of the western US, it was clear to any observer that the rivers and streams dried up. Despite the drier and hotter weather, rainfall managed to appear in the form of electrical storms that delivered water to the streams and rivers, only to deplete during the days and weeks ahead. &emsp;&emsp;So where does that leave households with lawns or people who enjoy gardening with their favorite flowers and vegetables? &emsp;&emsp;The trend of shrinking the American Dream lawn or replacing it with a wildflower meadow has emerged in some neighborhoods and with gardeners and homeowners who consider themselves conservationists or prefer that their home isn't situated in a dead zone because of their shrubs, trees and plants wilting (or drying out) due to water restrictions. &emsp;&emsp;According to Amy Papineau, extension field specialist in landscape and greenhouse horticulture (University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Food and Agriculture Program), "If you've decided to transform your yard into a drought-resistant garden, as you think about how you approach the project, you should consider factors such as your personal gardening expertise and how much time and money you want to invest in developing and maintaining your new gardens." &emsp;&emsp;She notes you could take the approach of starting small and adding new garden spaces over several years. &emsp;&emsp;"Starting with just a few plants can be a good way to start. If you have existing garden beds, you could select the most drought-sensitive plants to replace first and add more drought-resistant plants over time. Perennial plants need two years of care before they become established, so scale your project to the number of plants you can realistically care for at one time." Falling in love with new plant varieties Learning to fall in love with drought-resistant flowers, shrubs and trees, as well as shrinking the lawn, go a long way in conserving water for a season and for future seasons. The climates across the US are changing dramatically, and water restrictions will become a norm every summer. &emsp;&emsp;Many Americans grew up with lawns or gardens featuring thirsty flowers. Garden flowers that don't handle droughts well include begonias, calla lilies, forget-me-not, and impatiens. Rhododendron and azalea also wilt from drier conditions, along with deciduous trees without an established root system. &emsp;&emsp;Roses are generally considered thirsty plants, but some gardeners have managed to keep their rose bushes alive despite drier conditions. &emsp;&emsp;It's possible to adopt new favorites of the drought-resistant variety. &emsp;&emsp;"I happen to like rudbeckia and New England asters. They come in a variety of colors and bloom at different times, so they help to provide color throughout the growing season. And they're not too far removed from their wildflower relatives, so I think they tend to be a little hardier," says Carl Majewski of the University of New Hampshire Extension, Cheshire County. He also notes that daylilies are drought-forgiving. "You can plant them just about anywhere, and they're low maintenance." &emsp;&emsp;Other flowers that make the drought-tolerant perennials in our region include: Yarrow Anise hyssop Rock cress Butterfly weed Blue star flower Lavender Plus, varieties of aster, carnation, great Solomon's seal and other flowers native to the Northeast. &emsp;&emsp;Drought-resistant ornamental grasses include: Big blue stem Feather reed grass Sedge Switchgrass What it doesn't include is Kentucky bluegrass, a popular water guzzler. &emsp;&emsp;Also, look for drought-tolerant ferns, bushes, shrubs, and trees for the garden or landscaping. The University of New Hampshire Extension program provides ample information for beginning and advanced gardeners. The meadow effect One of the easiest landscaping to maintain once it's been created (this involves the effort of lawn removal) is the meadow of wildflowers that attracts wildlife in the form of birds and pollinators. Some gardeners refer to the wildflowers as urban wildlife sanctuaries, and people who enjoy the arrival of migrating birds and butterflies (think: Monarch) spend hours watching one of the greatest shows that nature can provide. The birdsongs alone make the wildflower meadow worthwhile. &emsp;&emsp;"Creating a meadow with native perennial flowers and grasses provides a low maintenance and drought resistant landscape," says Papineau. "The native plants that make up a meadow are suited to the local climate and soils." &emsp;&emsp;She notes that a flourishing wildflower meadow can be as small as 400 square feet or so to several acres in size. &emsp;&emsp;She adds that lawn lovers might be able to enjoy both worlds: "If you have the space, you don't need to choose between a meadow and a lawn; you can both. Lawns provide an ideal space for things like playing and picnicking. Lawns seeded with fescue grasses will be more drought tolerant than other types of grasses." Growing vegetables Gardeners who grow produce know that vegetables and fruit trees don't conserve water. However, planting a "victory garden" offers other benefits, such as eating from a local source. Growing vegetables is also educational for children, and the vegetables can be shared with neighbors. &emsp;&emsp;Vegetable plants with an unquenchable thirst include lettuce, broccoli, cucumbers (obviously given the water content of cucumber), corn, carrots, cabbage, and spinach to provide the shortlist. &emsp;&emsp;However, drought-tolerant vegetables include Swiss chard, pole beans, zucchini, tomatoes, mustard greens and Jerusalem artichoke. Vegetables from the Mediterranean also withstand drier soil. However, check with your zone to see if these vegetables are compatible with the sunlight and warmth available in the Northeast. Replacement culture? The nostalgia for grandma's favorite flowers and gardens of the times with more significant precipitation will cause gardeners to weigh in on the pros and cons of traditional gardens — with their high water bills and local water restrictions. Is it worth the hefty water bill? Consider that these flowers can still be grown indoors, placed on the kitchen windowsills, or hung in pots on a porch or patio. &emsp;&emsp;"Everyone has their favorites, and you can still be a responsible gardener sticking with them," says Majewski. "I would say, however, that it might be worth a closer look at what's available — drought-tolerant species encompass a wide variety of plants in just about every color and a range of shapes and sizes, and it's likely that you'll find something that fits into your landscape." SIDEBARS IN BOXES Healthy Soil Did you know the best soil for planting vegetables is a 6.5 to 6.8 pH level? The soil in New Hampshire requires amending with wood ash or lime. Also, add calcium and magnesium. — Tip from the University of New Hampshire Extension Lawns During Droughts Mow with a sharp blade. Keep the grass 2 to 3 inches high for the best results. Drought-Resistant Herbs and Healing Plants That Grow in Our Region Lavender Oregano Echinacea Sage Rosemary Chamomile Garlic