If you have lived in southern Ohio for more than a few years, you already know that our weather patterns are consistently inconsistent. Currently, we are in a very dry spell. September is usually one of the driest months of the year. This year we had 2.5 inches of rain, which is right around our average. In August we had 6.25 inches of rain. The August average is 2.9 inches. Do you see what I mean by "consistently inconsistent?"

Are we in a drought? The National Weather Service describes a drought as a period of unusually persistent dry weather that persists long enough to cause serious problems, such as crop damage and/or water supply shortages. The severity of the drought depends upon the degree of moisture deficiency, the duration, and the size of the affected area.

Based on that explanation, we technically are not in a drought, but your lawn, landscape and garden may disagree. When we were getting all of the rain in August, my grass was growing like it does in April. Since then, it seems like when I am on my lawn tractor, all I am accomplishing is kicking up dust and killing time.

When we hit dry spells in the summer, people get much more concerned than they do in the fall. My opinion is that there is more concern in the summer because the dry spells are combined with heat. It’s almost like we can feel the thirst for the plants.

During a Fall dry spell, as we are having now, the temperatures are comfortable. If we are feeling okay, we think everything else is, too. Unfortunately, if you take a walk around your yard, you are probably going to see a few wilting plants.

Another issue that comes into play in the garden and landscape in the fall is apathy. We know that the end of the season is coming. We have been taking care of these plants since spring and we are tired and bored with them. We look at the plants wilting and convince ourselves that they will be okay. We optimistically think rain will come. Then when the rain misses us, we trust that the plants will just go to sleep for the winter.

For the most part, this is what will happen. Plants are a lot more resilient than we give them credit for, but we also want to do what is best for our green leafy friends.

Fall is a time of opportunity for plants. The roots are still growing, even when the tops have stopped. Plants know winter is coming and increase their intake of nutrients from the soil. This is why it is very beneficial to fertilize trees and shrubs in the fall.

To maximize these benefits, there needs to be moisture available in the ground to keep the plants and grass from going into dormancy too early. They need to stay awake and grow as long as they naturally can. Then they will continue to make food for winter and come back next spring very strong.

This is why it is very important to not put the hose away any time soon. If we continue to go through dry periods of two weeks or longer, we should be watering our lawns and landscapes. Also, moisture in the ground helps protect the roots of plants from the really cold air when the sub-freezing temperatures arrive.