Missouri Drought Deepens

The Missouri Department of Conservation reported:

"The period from January through June was the hottest on record nationally. June was the sixth-driest on record in Missouri.... Meanwhile, extreme heat, wind and unusually low humidity have sapped what little moisture once existed in the state’s soil."

The drought has effected everything from forests to gardens to wells. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that many Missouri wells have dried up due to parched earth and the need to water dry crops. It's a cycle that does not seem likely to end soon. Here are tips for how to help your Missouri yard during the drought:

• Incorporate drought-resistant plants, some of which may have the added advantage of being native.
• Consider a soaker hose or a more complex drip irrigation system.
• Even though we have not had much rain, a rain barrel can capture what we do get.