Mike and Victoria Hardin filled
one of their carts with plants that can withstand drought.
The Hardins, like others who were shopping for plants at
local nurseries Sunday afternoon, wanted to make sure they
can enjoy their investment as drought conditions continue.
Though Fayetteville has received 13.48 inches over the past
90 days, the city still falls under abnormally dry conditions,
according to the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory
Council. Since the beginning of the year, 15.42 inches of
rain have fallen on the city — a deficit of 1.24 inches,
according to the National Weather Service in Raleigh.
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission lifted bans in
March on washing cars at home and hosing down driveways.
Customers are still restricted to watering their lawns twice
a week.
Rainwater plans
The Hardins plan to catch rainwater this year to water their
plants. The couple said they received tips about conserving
water during a recent trip to Mexico.
“It made us more aware of things,” Victoria
Hardin said.
Carol Hardin, Mike Hardin’s mother, said she won’t
plant as many flowers this year. Some of her flowers were
lost during the drought.
“If they survived last year and they are blooming
this year, I should leave them alone,” she said.
Mike Pate, owner of Carolina Farmers Market on Raeford Road,
has seen quite a few of his customers going for the more
drought-tolerant plants, he said. He is offering more heat
resistant plants than last year.
“People are being more conscious about it,”
Pate said.
Sales have not suffered because of the drought, he said.
“It’s been a better planting year this year
because of the moisture in the ground,” Pate said.
“But the sales are about the same.”
Donna Katz selected marigolds for a special flower bed she
plans to plant in memory of her son. She knew they would
work well in the heat. Katz also catches rainwater for her
plants.
“I try to water only at night and make the most of
the water I do use,” she said.
Katz said she would follow any water restrictions even if
it means letting her flowers die.
Jonnie Klewicki, owner of Lady Bug Green Houses, worked
on geraniums at her greenhouse on Legion Road. Klewicki
said the drought hasn’t affected business. She uses
two wells to water her plants, she said. Her main concern
is the rising cost of gas.
“We use natural gas for our greenhouses,” she
said.
Theresa Williams, Klewicki’s daughter, said people
were slow coming in to buy plants this year because of the
fear of a late frost. Last year, an April frost killed thousands
of acres of crops in the region.
“We are back up to speed now,” Williams said.
“Everything is good.”
Klewicki and Williams help educate their customers before
they leave their greenhouse. The women recommended flowers
such as lantanas, gerbera daisies, verbena, and snowcap
Shasta daisies for dry conditions.
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