I've posted something similar to what I am going to write here on the Rose Forum and am hoping for some feedback on my theory about what is happening in my garden during the third year of extreme drought.
My soil consists of lots and lots of small rocks and clay. It drains really well, but also holds moisture very well ... at least it has in the past.
We haven't gotten our usual heavy rains during the winter months for the last three years and I think the soil deep down is much, much dryer than usual. Normal rainfall for my part of California in the mountains is 35 to 45 inches of rain within the the months of November through April with no rain during the summer months. A dry year is considered to be 25 inches of rain in the same period.
The rains are heavy and consistent.
This year, I have found that even when I deep water my roses, they are dried out within a day because all of the water I am putting down is getting wicked down to the lower levels of soil. No matter how much mulch I put on top, nothing is going to stop that dynamic.
I am having to water plants that I have never had to water in prior years.
Another strange thing is that I am not seeing any worms. I think they have fried because I've improved the soil in the rose beds sufficiently over time so that there have always been lots and lots of worms.
The roses are going into heat dormancy because they know how to survive in drought conditons ... at least most of them. I don't think I am going to lose any this year. It's my trees that I am worried about. I think I've lost two liquid ambers. My white fir is looking pretty stressed, but it is the dogwood and the 60 year old red maple that is causing me the most worry. Both are showing signs of severe water stress. There is no way, even if I could afford it, that I can supply the water that they need.
Not only is the thirsty earth wicking away the water, but the trees and the junipers up on the slope have extended their root systems in search of water and are grabbing any water I put down for the roses.
I have taken out shrubs near the trees to reduce water competition, but I can't think of anything else I can do for them.
I am using soaker hoses under the canopies of the trees, but I really don't think I am doing enough.
I haven't researched this issue, so the loss of moisture in the deeper due to the drought soil impacting my garden is only a personal theory. I really don't know if I am correct and would love some feedback from those who know more about this kind of thing than I do.
I am really praying for rain this winter.
Smiles,
Lyn
