Hot and dry are the norm in southern summers and early fall. Our gardens reflect this discomfort unless we pay special attention to selection of plants and the way we plant them. Preparation of the site is of top importance. This gives our investment of plants more than a fighting chance!

We have a soil mix with worm castings that is sure to improve any planting bed (or container). It not only offers extra nutrition for the roots but also helps retain water in the soil. Nutrition and water are essential to the plant's success! This product is available already mixed with soil or as pure worm castings that you add to your planting bed.

Another essential additive to beds or containers to help with soil moisture is a granular product called Soil Moist. For outdoor beds one ounce is dug into a six foot row before planting. Two teaspoons will be sufficient in a 10 inch container. The granules absorb water and resemble Jello when saturated. The water is slowly released as the soil drys out, reducing the need to water by 50%.

For lawns, beds, borders or containers, a brand new product to the market is Drought Away. This product modifies forces within the soil and root zone that hinder easy penetration and permeation. That means that the water will spread out into a wider zone rather than channel through the soil in a more direct path. In doing this, Drought Away gets the water and dissolved nutrients to all the roots where they are needed. Also water requirements are reduced, watering frequency is reduced and so is plant stress due to uneven watering. Applied by a hose end applicator, it is easy to apply and is an environmentally friendly method to help your lawn and other plants thrive.