| Dealing with extended drought conditions can | | | | they contain a range of micronutrients that |
| be a daunting affair. Not knowing when a | | | | strengthen plant cells. Plants treated in |
| drought will break not only tests farmers, | | | | this manner are better suited to survive |
| the general community in towns and cities is | | | | extreme conditions as the cell walls within |
| also affected by subsequent water | | | | plant tissues become thicker and stronger. |
| restrictions and higher food prices. | | | | |
| | | | Long- term climatic trends are hard to |
| The hobby farmer is mostly insulated from the | | | | predict, however, consideration needs to be |
| financial effects of drought since it is not | | | | given to issues such as climate change. I |
| the main source of income. However, personal | | | | have planted native windbreak trees that |
| pride and a desire to see the farm develop, | | | | generally have a lower rainfall requirement |
| rather than deteriorate into a dry and | | | | than currently received in our region. Should |
| unappealing place to spend time, is enough | | | | there be a general term trend towards reduced |
| incentive to be proactive in the face of | | | | rainfall these plants once established should |
| drought conditions. | | | | cope well. In the event of increased rainfall |
| | | | over subsequent seasons after a drought |
| Special consideration is also required when | | | | however, there may be problems due to an |
| farm animals are present. The presence of | | | | excess of water given that these types of |
| shelter and ample drinking water is paramount | | | | plantings are normally suited to dry or very |
| if animals are to be comfortable during hot | | | | well drained soils. |
| and dry conditions. | | | | |
| | | | Selecting vegetable crops that have a shorter |
| Some tactics I have currently employed on my | | | | growing season, often the case with dwarf |
| farm are outlined below. As well, general | | | | varieties will save on precious water. |
| strategies for the future are also mentioned. | | | | Ensuring the soil is well managed and |
| | | | carefully cultivated in order to protect its |
| When planting young trees and shrubs, ensure | | | | structure will allow plant root systems to |
| the soil is cultivated to reduce competition | | | | become quickly established. Long term |
| from weeds growing close to the seedlings. | | | | plantings such as fruiting trees and palms |
| Deep ripping of the planting area also helps | | | | need to be carefully reviewed and not planted |
| any rain to penetrate within the root zone of | | | | until conditions improve. |
| the seedling. Combined with heavy mulching | | | | |
| around the seedling, it will have a greatly | | | | In extreme cases some plants will need to be |
| increased chance of surviving. Water storing | | | | sacrificed. More common plants and those that |
| crystals as well as products that enable | | | | can be easily and quickly replaced may need |
| water to penetrate water repellant soils are | | | | to be removed in order to reduce competition |
| also available. Protection from strong hot | | | | for water. The most efficient methods of |
| winds will also reduce evaporation of | | | | irrigation that deliver water close to the |
| moisture from around plants. Polymer films | | | | root system of the remaining plants also |
| that are sprayed onto leaf surfaces can also | | | | needs to be employed. |
| be used in order to reduce evaporation from | | | | |
| plants. These synthetic polymers are | | | | Drought proofing my farm in the long term |
| currently used when transplanting established | | | | will also require an effective water |
| plants as a measure to reduce transplanting | | | | harvesting system. Expenditure on tanks and |
| shock. | | | | soil contouring in order to channel excess |
| | | | moisture to storage areas will need to occur. |
| Established plants may need to be pruned in | | | | This process will be constrained by the |
| order to reduce the level of transpiration | | | | available finances, but should prove |
| from leaf surfaces. Young fruiting trees | | | | worthwhile in the long term. |
| should have any fruit removed and not be fed | | | | |
| with fertilizers which encourage tender | | | | Ben provides assistance and consultancy to |
| growth. Fertilizers containing high levels of | | | | real and virtual estate owners in Singapore, |
| nitrogen should be used sparingly; however, a | | | | Malaysia and Australia. His works include an |
| balanced fertilizer at the correct | | | | Australian Hobby Farm. Ben is also in the |
| time-usually spring and autumn may be used | | | | process of publishing a eBook on hobby |
| with care. Foliar sprays extracted from an | | | | farming. |
| organic source such as seaweed are useful as | | | | |