Water Conservation In The Yard
By Silvianne Barthe, Fri Dec 9th
It is that time of year again. The water companies are sendingus notices to reduce watering in our gardens.
What are you doing to help conserve this precious commodity?
Often we don't appreciate something until it's gone! That canreally be true with water. Taken for granted when it isplentiful, its importance is truly appreciated in the gardenonce it becomes scarce. If you find yourself in a drought, thereare some things you can do to help conserve water and make thebest use of what you have available.
If you have not already mulched your plants, do it! Mulch willhelp limit the amount of water that evaporates from the soil.While organic mulches such as grass clippings or wood chips arepreferable since they add organic matter to the soil, plasticmulches are useful in limiting evaporation from the soil. Theycan be laid between rows in the vegetable garden and will helplimit moisture loss; however, they also will limit infiltration.
Place your water where it will do the most good. Sprinklers arevery inefficient for getting water to the roots of your plants.Much of the water lands on the leaves and evaporates beforereaching the ground. A slow gentle watering at the base of theplants, allowing the water to soak into the soil, will be mostefficient.
Water those plants needing it most. Newly planted trees, shrubs,and flowers with limited roots systems will most likely sufferfirst from drought conditions. Give
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