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Water! A precious resource! One of the best ways to save water is by decreasing the need for outdoor watering. One third of residential water is used for outdoor watering. This number can be reduced, and landscapes can still be lush, beautiful and green. It is important to plan your waterwise design for your landscape. Ask yourself, how can your lawn become water efficient? How can I save time and money too?
Choose plants that require less water and tend to tolerate drought conditions. Most native plants are adapted to your areas annual rainfall. You may not want all natives, so try to group plants according to water use. Put all of your high water plants in the same area. The drought tolerant plants can be separate.
Preparing the soil before planting is important also. Mix in a 3 inch layer of organic matter and this will improve the soil’s water and air holding capacities. Organic matter can be compost, peat moss, and manures. If your soil is heavy clay it may appear to have a high water content, when in fact, all the water held made not be available to plants. The addition of organic matter will improve this.
Organic matter will increase the proportion of available soil water. It will also add air spaces to tight clay soils. Water will drain to lower levels instead of running off, puddling or eroding the soil. Organic matter will help sandy soil conditions. In sandy soil the water drains too fast and the plants can not reach the water. The organic matter gives the soil something to hold on to until the plants need it.
Reduce turf areas and choose a low water requirement turf. Plant groundcovers that have a low water demand. Water your turf separate from your plants. Do not have long strips of turf as this takes more water.
Watering by hand saves water also. Drip irrigation in your garden is wonderful for saving water. This type of watering will deliver the water to the plants roots where it is needed. Put the irrigation system on a timer and this will further conserve water. Water less often, but water thoroughly. When you water with a sprinkler, put out a cup or something to catch and measure water. See just how long it takes to get one inch of water. This will give you a guideline on how long to water.
Do not water in the heat of the day. Shading and the use of windbreaks can save water. Plants that wilt in sunny areas could benefit from replanting in a shady area. Small plants, in particular, should be protected or relocated.
Air movement across plants can carry away the precious water. Air will strip the leaf from moisture and will increase the plants water demands. If an area is very windy roots can’t keep up with the leaf demands. This causes the plant to wilt. Some kind of windbreak will help. If you live in an area that is windy most of the time, such as in a coastal area, plant strong, native plants that will stand up to the wind.
The use of mulches are very important in conserving water. Mulches hold in moisture, reduce weeds (which compete with your plants for water), slow erosion, cool the soil and mulches look good too. Your plants will do better and not be stressed when their roots are kept cool. Replace some of your turf areas with mulched planting beds. Good mulches should be organic and non-matting. Pine straw, bark mulch, shredded hardwood bark, or cypress mulch are all great to use for mulch. Mulch your beds and around your plants 2-4 inches.
Prune only when needed. The new growth will increase water demands. Do not over fertilize your trees, turf and plants. This also increases water demands. Plant groundcovers to help absorb fertilizer runoff from beds and turfs. Keep your plants healthy. Try to avoid plant stress. Mow properly by raising the mower height and keep the mower blades sharp. Mow more often and this will reduce the water demand, especially during hot weather.
Control pests and thin your shrubs to conserve water. By planting native plants, your need for chemicals, like fertilizers and pesticides, will be lowered. This is an added benefit to your garden and your health.
Waterwise landscaping can still be lush and green and beautiful. Think about using texture and color in your garden. You don’t have to use cactus, but cactus plants are beautiful in their own right. There are many native plants which are beautiful. Most have flowers or a great shape or texture. Texture, color and using native plants will provide an interesting place for humans and also for wildlife. Birds will be attracted to your garden. Butterflies will be attracted to your garden. This is beneficial and you will be contributing to a solution to conserve water. Water is life!
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