To find out the levels of nutrients already available in your garden's soil, use a soil test kit. Soil test kits can be purchased at local garden centers or at Penn State Cooperative Extension county offices. After planting, use a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and reduce runoff from any rainfall. Mulches also maintain more uniform moisture levels by preventing rapid evaporation from soil surfaces. Make sure to keep all mulches from touching the plant stem.
Weeds are another source of water loss from the soil.
Nuss says improving soil and other conditions, and using plants known to be drought tolerant, will help gardeners establish a plot even during a drought. Amur maple, Mentor Barberry, Siberian Pea Shrub, Flowering Quince, sweet fern, witchhazel, juniper, bayberry, ninebark, staghorn sumac, nannyberry, viburnam and privet. To read previous months' news releases, click on this link.