Managing Water During a Drought

One of my favorite magazines is Taunton's Fine Gardening; I literally read it completely each time it arrives in my mailbox (even the ads). The current issue (August 2009) is devoted to "100 Tips to Make You a Better Gardener." Tip number 6 is "Manage Water During a Drought"--an apt item indeed for those of us needing rain. The four points of the item are short and to the point, and worth repeating:

1. Minimize or stop fertilization. Heavily fertilized plants produce more leaves, which use more water.
2. Aerate your beds in spring. Aerating creates a looser soil, which allows water to soak deeper into the ground and promote root growth.
3. Water longer but less frequently. This lets water soak deep into the soil, encouraging plants to push their roots deeper to reach the water.
4. Water from 4:00 am to 9:00 am. Daytime irrigation evaporates in the heat.

That's it. Good advice! Thanks, Taunton's Fine Gardening.