At Bamboo Gardens in Palm Harbor, the stalks are just barely starting to sprout.
“It’s important that it gets regular water and the soil stays evenly moist all the time.
But that’s up to mother nature and we know the weather can do whatever it feels like," she said with a sigh.
Smith and her husband were forced to tap into a long-unused well on their bamboo farm to keep the plants doused.
“You can’t stop to worry about it or think about it because you can’t do anything about it.
So you just have to keep your fingers crossed,” she added.
The drought is forcing businesses across Tampa Bay to get creative.
“We don’t have any bahia grass because it’s dry and people don’t like that.” Usually Bolet keeps 5 different types of sod in stock.
“I could do the rain dance for you but I won’t,” Smith said with a laugh.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District suggests checking with your local city or county to make sure you’re following water restrictions for your neighborhood.