By Jackie Sledge
Big Country Master Gardener Association
The population in the Big Country is growing as well as the population in the entire state of Texas. Having more people leads to a higher demand for our natural resources, such as water. As a result, we see higher water rates as well as more water use restrictions, especially during droughts that cause lower lake levels.
Is there anything we can do? Absolutely. We can design and maintain gardens that need less water which leads to conservation of one of our precious resources.
We can follow the low water use strategies listed below:
- Landscape with plants that have low water needs. The best way to lower water use is to use plants that do not require a lot of water such as plants that are either native or well adapted to our local area. They must also be suited for our soil type and rainfall.
- Plant areas by water needs. Put plants with high water needs in small areas and plants with low water needs in the larger areas or beds. If you put plants with varying water needs in the same area, some are overwatered, and others are not getting enough water. The result is all the plants suffer or die.
- Consider sun and wind exposure when planting. Use plants suited for full sun in sun areas. If plants needing shade are planted in full sun, they will need much more water to survive. Wind also affects plants. Consistent wind dries plants out quickly, so sensitive plants should be planted in less windy areas of the landscape.
- Reduce the size of the lawn. Lawns are the highest users of water in the landscape. It is important to assess the amount of grass that is needed and replace the rest of the yard with shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, groundcovers, raised beds, or hard surfaces. Examples are walkways or hard surfaces such as rocks or gravel.
- Add amendments to the soil. Add compost or organic products to the soil to increase sandy or rocky soil’s ability to hold water or to open up clay soils so plant roots can absorb moisture better.
- Mulch, mulch, mulch. Mulch all beds. Mulch holds water in the soil and cools the soil temperature. Organic mulches break down over time and add nutrients to the soil. Inorganic mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, but the soil surface may be hotter.
- Use efficient irrigation systems and practices. Water should be applied to the roots of the plants to be most effective. Check drip irrigation for clogs or leaks. Replace soaker hoses every 3 or 4 years. The best time to water is in the morning so run sprinkler systems right before dawn. Be sure to check the system periodically for leaks.
- Harvest rainwater. Rainwater can be captured, directed, or saved, from simply setting out buckets or tubs all the way to elaborate systems using gutters and tanks. Water can even be directed into gardens or beds so it can soak into the ground instead of running off into the streets.
Texas SmartScape provides the following 7 steps to having a smart yard:
- Plan and Design. Consider your needs and wants. When you know what you want, look at what you already have. Look at permanent fixtures. Are there any restrictions? What plants will you keep? Then create your plan.
- Reduce Turf. Less turf has several advantages – more time for you to enjoy your lawn and less expense from reduced watering. Add flower beds, pathways, and groundcovers.
- Soil. Organic matter is the key to a solid foundation to help your plants thrive. Compost helps to condition the soil, hold moisture, prevent run-off, reduce erosion, and unlocks nutrients in the soil. One way to improve water absorption is to add raised beds. Raised beds will also help improve drainage, reduce soil compaction, and reduce weeds.
- Planting. The right plant in the right place. Use the SmartScape plant database to find native and adapted plants that are well suited to our environment. By choosing native plants, they are naturally drought tolerant as well as disease and pest resistant. This will reduce your irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticide requirements. When planning your yard or garden, use a wide range of plants and plant with room for their mature size. When planting or transplanting, water the plant, water the hole, and water the plant in the hole.
- Mulch. Regularly adding mulch to maintain about a 3-inch blanket is good for beds and around trees. Mulch helps reduce evaporation and cools soils in the summer by up to 10 degrees. Mulch also helps reduce erosion, diseases, and prevents weeds from getting a foothold. Never pile mulch up around trunks or stems, instead it should be like a shallow bowl around the trunk.
- Water-Wise. Efficient irrigation will save you money. It is best to water in the early morning when evaporation rates are lowest. Water 5-10 minutes (or until runoff begins), then water that area again 10 minutes later for another 5-10 minutes (or until 1” of water total has been applied to that area). 1” of water a week should be enough for native plants to survive even the hottest summers. Look into using drip irrigation. Also, turn off your sprinklers when it rains, because that is just wasting water and money.
- Maintenance. Regularity and moderation should guide your maintenance schedule. Avoid excessive pruning as natural beauty softens the landscape. If you choose well-adapted plants for your location, maintenance should be minimal. If you do encounter problems, try cultural, organic, physical, and mechanical means of pest control instead of chemicals.
There are several sources that provide tips for low-maintenance and low-water landscaping, but the lists provided here are both great places to start. I’m in the process of redesigning my landscape so it will require less work and less water, and I’ve used these principles in my plans. In Phase 1, I’m adding more flower beds, extending the patio, adding walkways, building some raised beds, and of course mulching, mulching, mulching. The current Phase 2 plan will include adding a trellis, creating a sitting area, and providing plants and objects for the senses. I’ll keep you updated as I make progress.
BCMGA offers several education programs each month. There is a program at 6:00 p.m. on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the South Library Branch in the Mall of Abilene, and the same program is offered again at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd Friday of the month at the Downtown Library. Watch the BCMGA website and Facebook page for the topics and the dates of these monthly programs.
If you have any questions, call the Taylor County Extension Office at 325-672-6048 or email us at mgardeners@yahoo.com. We hope you visit our website at bcmgtx.org for information on all Big Country Master Gardener events, like us on BCMGA Facebook, and check out training presentations on BCMGA YouTube. We are here to help you.
Until next week, Happy Gardening
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