10 drought-fighting tactics

8. Use soaker hoses. These porous hoses ooze water along their length. Run them among flowers and shrubs or along hedges or rows of vegetables. Coil them under the drip lines of large trees; you'll need 50 or 100 feet. For a small tree or shrub, consider using a Soaker Ring ($13, plus shipping), a hose-end device that forms a closed circle around the trunk; it's available from Gardener's Supply ( www.gardeners.com or 800/427-3363).