A:     After low rainfall in 2006, plants may already be feeling some stress. If this winter is dry, we will be in a drought, and some tough choices will need to be made in the garden. Most gardeners would hope to save large trees and more valuable shrubs, plants which need deep infrequent watering. Use a good part of your water budget to irrigate these plants early in the season. This requires judging the depth of the roots and the type of soil you have. Clay soils will generally hold more water longer than sandy soils. If root zones of plants in clay soil are moistened in spring, well established drought resistant plants may survive the summer with no supplemental water. Most non-drought resistant woody plants will need one or two supplemental irrigations, but wait to apply water until plants begin to show stress (wilting, drooping, etc.) Sandy soils will need to be watered very slowly to assure water is available to roots.

Other water saving measures include the following:

• Check your irrigation system for leaks.
• Prune overgrown hedges, shrubs and vines extensively.
• Cut back on lawn water. Most lawns will survive on 40% of optimal water.
• Use mulches, preferably dark in color to reduce the impact of sunlight.
• Reduce or eliminate flower beds that take frequent watering.
• Cut back on fertilizing. New growth requires more water.
• Get rid of weeds. They compete for water.

Master Gardeners have information on estimating water needs and also on keeping fruit trees alive during severe drought.