Extreme heat, drought cut into business at Durham Garden center
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The effects of extreme heat and ongoing drought conditions are showing up across Durham, including at Stone Brothers & Byrd garden center, where employees are working overtime to keep plants alive.
Hand-watering has become a constant task for staff.
"Sometimes three times a day, and sometimes four," employee Eugene Oneal said.
Oneal said the combination of drought and extreme heat has created major challenges for the business.
Some plants have not survived the summer, resulting in hundreds of dollars in losses.
"Probably about $800 worth of plants died back there in the back," Oneal said.
Co-worker Amos Hester said caring for plants has become a balancing act. While many vegetable plants require full sun, excessive heat can still cause damage.
"We try to keep it in a shaded area, but most of the vegetable plants need full sun," Hester said.
The challenges come as Durham enters its second month under Stage 2 water restrictions.
"We are not meeting our reduction goal, but residents have continued to conserve," said Sydney Miller with Durham Water Management.
According to the city, Durham has received 320 reports of water restriction violations since restrictions began June 15. Most reports involved residents continuing to use sprinkler systems.
The city has issued six warnings so far. Chopper 11 flew over Lake Michie on Thursday, one of Durham's primary drinking water sources.
Water levels appeared noticeably higher than they were in June when restrictions first took effect, thanks in part to heavy rainfall earlier this summer.
"In order for us to end water shortage restrictions, our reservoirs have to be full," Miller said.
Until then, city leaders are urging residents to continue conserving water, follow restrictions and use hand-watering when needed.
At Stone Brothers & Byrd, employees say they are adapting by watering plants during the cooler morning hours before temperatures rise.
"I come in in the morning. The first thing we try to do is turn the water on while it's cool before the sun hits it," Hester said.
Durham water officials said they do not expect the city to move into Stage 3 water restrictions this year. They are hopeful the remainder of hurricane season and winter rainfall will provide enough water to help end the drought.
