|
S Use natural rainfall patterns. Use the local climate to your advantage, indigenous plants are adapted to your local rainfall. If possible, plant in the beginning of the rainy season and allow the plants time to establish themselves before the dry season. You might want to try plants from other parts of the world from similar biomes. Be aware of exotic plants that may invade natural areas.
S Create different areas in the garden. Provide shelter from the wind and sun to protect shade gardens and fragile plants.
S Group plants according to their water needs. Plants have different water requirements. By planning carefully, you can group plants according to their water needs and avoid wasting water on plants that do not need as much water. Also, group high water demand plants closer to the house or living areas where they will be easier to water regularly and maintain. Plants requiring less water normally require less maintenance.
S Use Compost: Compost can be added to improve the quality of your soil and water-holding capacity. Earthworms love compost and will help improve the soil aeration and water penetration. Compost enriches the soil with nutrients promoting the growth of healthy plants. They require less water and are more disease-resistant. Add well-decomposed compost before planting.
S Shrink your lawn area. A cushy green lawn requires a lot of water regularly especially in dry periods. Some western cities are giving residents tax breaks to reduce their lawn area. How much lawn space do you actually need for children, pets and outdoor entertaining? Replace the excess lawn with hardy ground covers, a Rain Garden, a native flower bed or interesting paving stones (permeable preferably allowing the water to soak into your soil).
S Know your soil type. Watering depends on your soil type, irrigation equipment, the weather and the type of plant. To determine the soil type, simply squeeze some damp soil in your hand and make it into a roll. Sandy soils will fall apart; loamy soil will hold together but crumble easily, and you can make different shapes out of the clay soil without breaking apart. Water drains quickly through sandy soils and this soil requires short, frequent watering. Clay soil holds water, so it is best to give a deep watering, less often.
S Most people over-water their gardens. Check to see if the soil is dry before automatically watering. Unless you use drip irrigation, never water when it is windy, or during the middle of the day. Water early in the morning or in the evening to reduce evaporation.
Check out these web sites for more information: Fundamentals of Xeriscaping and Water-Wise Landscaping
Organic Gardening Fact Sheet from Maine Organic Farmers & Growers Association
|