Retaining Soil Moisture in Garden in the Pacific Northwest Durng the Adverse Dry Condtions of Climate Change 2021

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This year's (2021) dry-hot summer in the Pacific Nortwest resulted in marked loss of soil moisture. For soils with predominant sand texture (e.g. loamy sand), the loss of soil moisture resulted in permanent plant wilting/drying, especially, those plants with shallow roots - within 6 - 10 inches of topsoil.
Under these conditions of adverse changing climate, one challeng for a gardener/farmer is to determine/identify factors for moisture retention, and plant growth with minimum or no irrigation. For such soils, one option to retain moisture for plant growth is by improving the soil structure using organic matter. Example: a single Kale plant is thriving well on organic mulch.
Another example: Dandelion with very deep roots under an old wood is surviving. Perhaps the wood helping is retaining moisture.
By Peter Emau

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