11 Ways to Fight Drought: Prioritize, Target Root Zones, and Use Root Irrigators

Several strategies ease plants through dry summers while improving the landscape.

1. Assess priorities: Survey landscape. Top priority: established trees/shrubs (irreplaceable). Second: perennials.
2. Identify root zones: Roots at different depths; apply water to moisten roots only. Most tree roots in top 2 ft. Dripline outlines much of root zone—focus water there.
3. Try a root irrigator: Hose-end needle injects water directly to roots, no evaporation loss. Garden centers carry Hound Dog Products model (~$20, 800-694-6863). Insert 6–12″+ along dripline; move around until full circuit completed.

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