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