Marin IJ Articles

Five things you can do right now to save water in your garden

1. Lay down a two- to six-inch layer of mulch over landscaped areas. Mulches are simply materials that you spread over the surface of the soil to reduce water evaporation. Good choices for mulch include well-decomposed yard clippings, decorative bark, and gravel. Along with the benefit of reduced water loss, mulched landscapes also tend to require less weed maintenance because the soil is shielded from sunlight, making weed seeds less prone to germinate. The aesthetic results of mulch can’t be overstated either; mulching lends a tidy, uniform appearance to most landscapes, and a backdrop of good-looking wood chips really makes the architectural elements of shrubs and the bright colors of flowers “pop” in contrast. When spreading mulch, take care to leave a few inches uncovered around tree trunks, shrubs and other plants to discourage crown rot.

2. Get on the drip irrigation bandwagon. For shrubs, vegetable beds and flower beds, drip irrigation is a better choice than sprinklers or sprays. By watering with drip emitters rather than sprinkling methods, less moisture is lost to evaporation before the water hits the ground. Since water is targeted right where it is needed at a plant’s root zone, there is less likelihood of waste to overspray than with hand watering, and there are fewer weeds to pull between plants. It also delivers a more consistent amount of water each time the irrigation system runs than hand watering because drip emitters drop water in measured amounts, while a human being with a hose is apt to also water sidewalks and bare spaces between landscaped areas. A well-maintained drip system on a managed watering schedule takes the burden of watering off your shoulders during those warm days when hand watering is inconvenient. Before I became a drip irrigation convert, this always happened to me when I was late for work and a 90 degree day was predicted. Now that my yard is set up on drip, rather than slaving away with a hose, I can relax and have another cup of coffee before work. If you can, set up your potted plants on a drip system too.

3. If you have an irrigation system already, troubleshoot it. Run each cycle and look for obvious leaks in tubing and pooling water on the ground. All of these symptoms could indicate damaged equipment or cycles that are out of synch with your landscape’s current water needs. If you have a lawn area with sprinkler emitters, run it and look for overspray onto sidewalks, driveways, buildings, or landscaped areas that are serviced by other irrigation. While you are troubleshooting the drip system, inspect hose bibs and replace rubber washers to eliminate drips or leaks between your faucet, the hose cap and the hose.

4. Irrigate during non-daylight hours rather than during the heat of the day. Watering during the pre-dawn hours of the morning or late at night reduces water loss to evaporation.

5. Don’t plant those water hogs. Stop and take a minute to consider the water needs of new plants before you make a buying decision. Do research before you shop and while at the nursery, scrutinize the stickers on the plastic pots of those plants that are beckoning you. Does the sticker say that the plant will do best when kept moist? Preferable plant care phrases include: “drought tolerant,” “little to moderate water,” and “good for dry areas.” If the siren’s song of a water-hogging plant continues to seduce you, think about what is drawing you to the plant in the first place: Is it the plant’s color? Height? The shape of its leaves? Chances are, a less water-hungry stand-in will just as easily meet your aesthetic needs.