Time For Change

Water wise tips for the garden

By lisa Cullen

The recent water crisis requires that we change our habits and routines. We need to reduce our water consumption by about 30% and a smart way to do that is to reduce water usage in the landscape. These steps will help:

1. Mulch. This is the most important thing you can do. Mulch keeps moisture in the soil and protects plant roots from stress. Mulch can be leaves, grass clippings, chips, shredded cardboard, straw just about anything that will break down. And it needs to be laid down thickly, in an open area pile it on a foot or two thick, in a garden, 6 inches. Do not cover the crown of the plants or you’ll suffocate them. Mulch can greatly reduce water needs.

2. Train your plants now. Plants will use as much water as you give them. You can cut back your irrigation by 50% now, while the weather is cool. Do not cut back the amount of time; instead reduce the number of days. It is better to water longer, with less frequency. If you have mulched, your plants will adjust by sending their roots deeper into the earth.

3. Ditch the chemicals. Chemicals kill the soil. Soil that is alive with microorganisms needs 50% less water. Use compost and compost tea to bring soil back to life.

4. Lose the lawn. The way it’s looking, you will lose your lawn anyway, so why not just let it go now. If we do get some rain, it will come back, and if it doesn’t you can always plant another. If you want a swath of green, do like the sod farms do and dye it green (I’m not kidding). There is a nontoxic “paint” you can use that will give you lawn a green appearance with out a drop of water.

5. Convert to drip irrigation. Drip irrigation puts the water where it be- longs, at the roots of the plant. If you still have sprinklers, they can easily be converted to a drip system.

6. Test your irrigation system frequently. Turn on each station to ensure your system is doing what it is supposed to be doing and there are no leaks.

7. Choose plants wisely. Drought tolerant means it will survive drought and there are some surprising plants in this category. You don’t have to use Australian and California Natives exclusively. Roses will survive an enormous amount of abuse, as will Camellias, Texas privet, Citrus, Olives and others. Of course succulents are a great choice.

8. Don’t stress. The worst thing that will happen is you may lose a few plants. My advice, if you have some favorites, save the water from laundry and dishwashing and use this to keep your favorite plants going. That’s what I do.

Fill your garden with joy, Lisa Cullen resourCes:

Mulch, compost and compost tea: Agri-Turf; 2257 Las Positas Rd, 805569-2257. Mulch and compost: Agri-Chip; 132 Garden St (805) 962-7005. The County and Marborg have free mulch which they will deliver for a fee or you can pick it up by the barrel or the truck load.

Lisa Cullen, landscape designer and organic gardener owns Montecito Landscape with her husband, Chris. She can be reached at 805.969.3984 or www.montecitolandscape.com..