El Niño Alert: Gardening Strategies for Changing Climates in Australia

Australia’s environment has always been a tail of extremes, but the Earth's climate crisis is deepening, and Australia’s climatic extremes are growing more frequent. In 2019, we experienced the most alarming summer of our lives—the worst-recorded bushfire season in Australia's history following years of drought. Then, in February 2020, the heavens opened, and it rained for what felt like years. It hasn't just felt like years; it literally has been years. Now, emerging from the La Niña phase, in September 2023, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) declared that El Niño has returned, leaving all Australians and especially Aussie gardeners pondering whether we will ever have a nice, normal, balmy year again… One can only hope.

Many of our garden plants have adapted to these wet conditions finding comfort in the abundance of water that was locked in our soils. They’ve grown to expect an endless supply of water available to them. Establishing new plants has been a dream for us living on the east coast with little need for additional watering.

Unfortunately, our gardens and many of our plants are in for a rude awakening! El Niño is back and the abundance of water is fast diminishing. This article will look in-depth at the signs you need to be looking out for and how to build resilience in your garden once again.

Reduce plants water consumption.

watering can with water coming out of spout, watering zucchini plants

Weaning garden plants off their current water usage is essential. Through the technique of watering once a day for a week, once a week for a month and once a month of a year plants will find their natural resilience. Remember when you do water make sure its at the correct time of day to limit evaporation from the soil due to warm sunny conditions. Early morning is best.

You will need to water more in extreme heat or wind conditions.

Large trees using water resources .

Large and mature trees are soaking up more than their fair share of available ground water as it gets warmer, This leaves little left over for establishing trees and plants, as well as anything planted under their canopy. I’ve noticed this primarily around pines, conifers and Fir Trees, but Australian native tree species are also to blame.

Help your under plantings by providing additional water while they transition themselves into the dry season. Be sure you don’t give them too much water, otherwise you’ll find they won’t transition and you’ll prolong the issue. Give them the water that they need to survive, no more.

Hot, dry wind

Protect plants from hot, dry winds that deplete moisture from topsoils through evaporation. A 50-100mm layer of mulch will help prevent hot winds from draining moisture from the soil.

Wind also displaces humid air from around the leaves of your plants, forcing the plant into rapid transpiration, expelling moisture from leaves faster than the plant can replenish its lost resources.
Protect your exposed plants by planting other screening species which can tolerate the wind. If you can't wait for them to grow or need a quick fix, temporarily block the wind with fabric screening like shade cloth or similar to slow the loss of moisture through transpiration.

In newly establishing plants, biodegradable tree guards are a lifesaver.

Scorched plants

Scorched edges of hydrangea leaves from sun damage — Scorched, sun damaged Hydrangea

The recent seasons growth may have become accustomed to reduced direct sunlight due to increased cloud cover through in the past couple of years. Scorched plants manifests as discolouration along the edges and occasionally between the veins of leaves, leaf scorch can cause the entire leaf to turn brown, shrivel, crisp, and eventually will fall off.

Intense scorching is frequently exacerbated by a compounding factors. Insufficient soil moisture ie. thirsty plants, coupled with extream temperatures and dry winds, creates an ideal environment for the rapid scorching of exotic garden plants such as roses and hydrangeas.

If your plants exhibit signs of scorching, they will benefit from introducing additional shading. use a 30% light shade cloth. Gradually acclimate them to more direct sunlight that is their preferred position. Alternatively, consider transplanting struggling plants to a more suitable shady location

Nutrient depleted soils - Use Compost

A prolonged period of rain may have flushed away and depleted the natural fertility of your soils. In many cases, erosion has occurred, and topsoils have washed away.

Adding ample organic matter to the soil, in the form of compost, compost teas, well-rotted manures, and mulches, will help reintroduce essential nutrients and cultivate a robust microbial environment. This, in turn, makes the nutrients more accessible for your plants. Increased organic matter will naturally enhance soil moisture retention and promote the development of more resilient plants.

Pests & Diseases

Be vigilant and prepared for a boom in dry season pests & diseases.

If you’ve followed the steps above, and cultivate a happy healthy garden, plants are far more pest and disease resistant.

Reevaluate your plant selection for the future.

Australian native garden. Featuring white Waratah (Agastachys odorata) — Australian native garden. Featuring white Waratah *(Agastachys odorata)*

If your finding your plants aren’t working this season it may be time to re-think your plant selection. Remember a plant in the correct position means most of your work is done! A safe bet is heading to your local native plant nursery to pick up some endemic native plants, perfectly suited to your area.