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That’s what The Temptations sang in 1968, and it’s appropriate today as I am writing this article on June 7, 2026, for the July installment of our garden club’s monthly column here in the Caroline Review. I can’t help but hope this results in some sort of “reverse psychology” for the rain gods, prompting them to send us rain between now and publication day, because it is DRY! At the risk of sounding like some old timer, I don’t think I have ever seen it this dry this early in June.
If the rain gods don’t come through for us, here are some tips to help try and sustain your garden during drought conditions:
1.If you haven’t already done so, mulch. Mulching helps slow down evaporation and helps keep the ground temperate cooler. Use organic mulching materials, avoid stones as they will increase the ground temperature.
2.Don’t let the weeds get ahead of you. They will compete with your plants for water so now is not the time to give in to the weeds.
3.Water smarter. Watering by hand or with a soaker hose will be more efficient than using an overhead sprinkler.
4.Water early in the day, or so say the experts. I’m not an expert, nor am I a morning person, so I’ve always watered in the evenings. Evening watering has worked for me, but whatever you do, don’t water in the middle of the day, the experts and I agree on this one, it’s a real no-no, whether we are experiencing drought conditions or not.
5.Another no-no during drought conditions is fertilizing. Don’t do it during drought conditions as it’s going to stress out your already stressed plants, encouraging new growth in a time when they are fighting to maintain the status quo.
6.Think about future plantings, specifically drought-tolerant plants. Hotter, drier summers seem to be more common than not, and we may need to adjust our plantings accordingly. Consider reaching out to local Extension Offices and their Master Gardeners for the best advice on how to garden in challenging conditions.
Here’s hoping these tips help, and if all else fails, crank up The Temptations and consider a rain dance!
