Water Wise Gardening
Water Wise Gardening
Having just come through one of the worst droughts in recorded history, more and more people are interested in gardening in ways that conserve water. Referred to variously as xeriscaping, water wise gardening, or native plant gardening, the goal is to garden in a way that uses very little supplemental water. Three things are important in this type of gardening: compost, mulch, and plant selection.
Many people think of cactus surrounded by rocks when they think of water wise gardening. However, that is an inaccurate portrayal of this type of gardening. Simply put, you choose plants that are adapted to the amount of rainfall you normally get in your area, amend your soil generously with compost, and mulch to hold in moisture when you get rain.
When choosing plants, you pick ones that are adapted to that much rainfall. That means you don’t plant rainforest plants in the desert, but you also don’t plant desert plants in the rainforest. Look at your native wildflowers, trees, and shrubs and choose from among them for the majority of your landscape.
Before planting, it is important to amend your soil with plenty of compost to add rich organic matter to it. This aerates the soil and also makes it both drain well and hold on to water until the plants need it. The bits of organic matter act as sponges, absorbing the water and then gradually releasing it back into the soil as the soil dries out. From there, your plants can absorb it for their needs. Experts recommend three inches of compost be tilled into a depth of about six inches for each new bed or at the start of each new season for gardens and annual beds.
Mulch is another feature of water wise gardens. Mulch acts as a blanket for your garden, warming soil in the cold and cooling it in the heat. It also acts as a lid, holding moisture in the soil where plants can access it. Less water evaporates and more reaches your plants. Finally, it acts to keep soil and fungal spores from splashing onto your plants and vegetables when it rains or you water. This helps prevent disease.
Water wise gardens can be beautiful. Just remember the trio of elements that are essential to them: plants adapted to the rainfall in your area, compost, and mulch. You provide the plants, we provide the compost and mulch. Call (813) 358-8990 to order your mulch and compost today and start saving on your water bills.
