abeeson20, I am in the same thing here in middle tennessee, we had about 1 1/4 inches of rain from 2 different light showers about 3 weeks ago and it has been about 2 months since any serious rain. you are to have a raised bed as all my beds are raise and are 12 to 14 inches deep. These are lasagna beds I built last fall and some this spring. You did not say how deep your beds are, but in a drought like now it makes all the difference, In other words more depth, and the different layers of mulch holds the moisture better. You have done the correct thing by adding shredded mulch, but how much? The more the better, I usually use 3-6 inches of straw much, and right now its about 6 inches deep. Of course as you already know this helps greatly from water evaporation. As for watering, I use soaker hoses, and beginning this year some "drip" irrigation which I am really liking. I water twice a week in this drought, but I water deeply. I will feel down about 6 inches and it is good and moist. I like to water less often and water deeply. If plants are watered often, but not deep then the roots will always go where the moisture is and in shallow watering then the roots will be shallow, whereas water less often, water deep and the roots will go deeper where the ground is moist and cool. This works for me..
Good luck, and lets pray for rain!!
Errol
Good luck, and lets pray for rain!!
Errol
