From time to time, most parts of the country experience
some degree of water shortage. It may only last a week or
two, or it may last long enough for us to lose some of our
valuable plants, but in any case it's best to be prepared
for the dry times.
Here are a few tips to help you conserve water in your
garden:
- Mulch helps the soil retain moisture, and also improves
the appearance of your garden. There are a variety of
organic and inorganic materials available to use as mulch.
See the Mulch Guide at GardenGuides for help in making the
best choice for your garden.
http://www.gardenguides.com/TipsandTechniques/mulch/mulch-noframe.htm
- Select native plants as often as possible. These plants
are adapted to the climate in your area.
- Water less often, but more deeply, and focus on the root
zones rather than the entire yard.
- Xeriscaping, or using water saving principals to design
a garden, has long been popular in arid regions. For more
information, see Carol Wallace's article "Lug that Hose,
Tote That Can -- or Try Xeriscaping."
http://www.gardenguides.com/articles/xeriscaping.htm
- Terrace steep slopes to reduce runoff.
- Maintaining a lush, green lawn requires a lot of water.
Consider planting a groundcover instead wherever possible.
http://www.gardenguides.com/TipsandTechniques/ground.htm
- Sandy soils lose water because they drain quickly, and
clay soils lose water to runoff. Adding organic matter to
these soils will help them hold moisture. It costs nothing
to start a compost pile, and in a few months you'll have a
ready supply of organic matter to work into your soil.
http://www.gardenguides.com/TipsandTechniques/compost.htm
- Recycle household wastewater from your dishwasher,
bathtub and kitchen sink. You can also use water from your
washing machine if you limit the use of detergents
containing boron (borax) and chlorine bleach.
- Set out an old-fashioned rain barrel. Connect it to the
downspout on your house for a ready supply of water.
Contributed by
http://www.gardenguides.com
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