Preventing water woes in your garden
With the abundant rain we enjoyed last fall and this spring, water conservation may not seem like the ideal topic for today’s article. Hotter, drier conditions are coming, however, and we can prepare now to cope better with the summer season. Indeed, lakes that are over the spillway now were frighteningly low just a few years ago during the last drought and may well be again in the future.
Here are a few ideas you might want to incorporate in your own yard and garden:
► Group plants in your landscape according to their water needs. If you really love thirsty plants, consider a small planting close to the house for ease of watering. Concentrate mostly on native or well-adapted plants for our area. They need much less water; some will do just fine with no additional irrigation beyond rainfall.
► Consider drip irrigation or soaker hoses in all your garden beds. They may use up to 50 percent less water than conventional spray irrigation.
► The number one rule for successful gardening is to take care of the soil. Compost is the queen of soil additives for water retention for sandy soils and better penetration and drainage for clay soils.
► Consider reducing the amount of turf on your property. Lawns tend to be the biggest water hogs in our landscapes.
► Have you ever thought about harvesting rainwater? Save money on your water bill and nourish your plants with chemical- free, naturally soft water.
► Water more deeply and less frequently. This encourages deeper roots which, in turn, produces stronger top growth that is better able to deal with the extremes of Big Country weather.
► Try not to water on windy days. I know. I know. Less windy days?
► Keep water off the driveway, street, or sidewalk. If you have an automatic irrigation system, check to be sure there are no broken heads or leaks and that water does not overlap from one zone to the next.
► Remember that what you do affects the quality and quantity of water you drink and use. Make every drop count!
This was just a brief overview, but you have a great opportunity this Saturday to join the Big Country Master Gardener Association for our “Rain Today and Water Tomorrow” seminar at the Taylor County Extension Office, 1982 Lytle Way, here in Abilene.
Learn from some dynamic teachers how to harvest rainwater. Find out how to create a lovely, water-capturing rain garden. See how effective rain chains can be. Learn about various ways to catch rainwater for later use with containers. Be inspired to make your own rain barrel following a live demonstration. Anticipate whether you might be the lucky attendee to win a rain barrel.
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and the seminar runs from 9 a.m. until noon. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. Come join us.
You can reach the BCMGA hotline by calling 325-672-6048 or online at firstname.lastname@example.org. We welcome your questions and comments.
Until next time, happy gardening!