However, a horticulture specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says gardeners can take steps to keep gardens from drying up. Gardeners don't have to use all of them, but every little bit helps. Mulches Mulch is very effective at keeping moisture in the soil. Benefits during a drought include weed control, maintaining even soil temperatures, erosion control and improving the appearance of the garden. Make sure no mulch touches the plant stem or trunk.
Organic mulches range from shredded newspaper to shredded wood or wood chips.
Inorganic mulches such as black plastic will be just as effective, although appearance may be an issue. But don't use gravel alone because it takes a layer 6 to 8 inches deep to slow moisture loss and control weeds. The film will not stretch when a new leaf grows, so gardeners must repeat the treatment as the plant grows. Anti-desiccants can be applied to plants as a spray when air temperatures are above freezing, he says. Wind screens Plants can lose considerable amounts of moisture to active breezes.