Baja_Costero said:
Our soil drains very fast and does not hold water, so I do mix some extra compost into the hole. We get 70% of our 10" annual rainfall in the winter and 0% of it in the summer.
ediblelandscapingsc said:I want plants that look like they belong in a desert but still do well in clay. I do grow a few natives but I'm not a super huge fan of natives. I like things in the garden that make me forget I'm in SC if you know what I mean.
Baja_Costero said:Not a problem, Daniel. I can't give any useful advice because my experience is in another climate, with different soil, and different plants. I was glad to see Stone and Dirt had some tips for you.
I would still be curious to hear other folks' experience relating to establishing newly installed plants for the purpose of drought tolerance. How long does it take for a good sized (but not extra large) plant? How much do different plants vary in this respect? How many corners can you cut? Do you choose a particular season, like Dirt and me? (Fall is my preferred time too, because it immediately precedes our rainy season.)
ediblelandscapingsc said:I grow cannas and Opuntia but cannas can not deal with our drought they look horrible right now.
our clay soil is the sticky red stuff that when wet will add 20lbs to your boots and when dry turns I to a brick. I don't think many of our native plants are equipped to handle a drought of this extent. When I took the kids to school this morning almost every tree I passed was yellow and even roadside weeds in the ditches are drying up. One good thing is I have not gotten bit by any mosquitoes in almost 2 months.