I hate it when we get a late cold front after everything has already fully leafed out. It happens about half the time. Most plants recover quickly, especially if it snows and doesn't stay real cold for long. Because of those late fronts most of the apricot crop freezes almost every year.
We built a long "spreader dam" in hopes of backing up water long enough to encourage vegetation to grow above it. It has worked out well. I never water anything there. It's totally natural. The power company has since moved the electric line away from this area and this dike makes a great birding trail.
Below you can barely make out the dike/dam as it follows the natural arroyo above the oasis (far right).
