WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – As spring takes hold, gardeners across Wichita are heading to nurseries to prepare their yards for the warmer months. But with the city currently under Stage Two drought restrictions, many are being more selective about what they plant. At Brady Nursery, staff encourage c ustomers to choose plants that can thrive in dry conditions. Nursery manager Steven Brady says their inventory has long focused on hardy, drought-tolerant options — an approach shaped by past experience with dry weather. What Wichita is doing to stay out of Stage 3 of drought plan “The majority of my plant palette are tough, hardy plants,” Brady said. “We have a huge plethora of plants that are extremely drought tolerant. And quite frankly, the number one reason for plant death that I see in Wichita is over-watering.” Some of the recommended choices include needled trees, junipers, Tiger Eyes sumac, and mugo pines — all plants that perform well with minimal water. Brady adds that operating during drought conditions is nothing new for his team. The nursery has weathered similar periods in the past, and he’s confident they’ll continue to adapt, even if the city moves into Stage Three restrictions. “I’m not overly concerned with the Stage 3 drought restrictions,” Brady said. “In the 1980s, they were saying it would take 10 years to fill Cheney Lake back up. But one weekend of good storms filled it. The stars need to align — we can be out of this. It might be a year, it might be two.” If restrictions tighten, Brady says gardeners may start relying more on rain barrels and greywater systems. Still, he’s optimistic about the future and believes Brady Nursery will continue to serve Wichita gardeners through whatever comes next. ...read more read less