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May 30, 2009
Water: Less is More
Master Gardener Column 5/30/09
As the twentieth century waned, a big shift in a cultural awareness began to take hold of the popular consciousness. People began to realize that the earth's resources were not infinte, but finite. Oil seemed to be running low. Water was becoming harder to find. The planet was not a perpetual frontier. There were limits. Human beings were in danger of choking off the planet's atmosphere. This awareness is especially acute in such places as Flagstaff with a water supply already limited. The realities of limitation begin in our yards as we use less water to create more beautiful landscapes.
Watering, fertilizing, and mowing a lawn that's barely used is a waste of precious resources, such as water, fertilizer and fuel. Fuel causes air pollution. Fertilizers cause water pollution and often contain harmful components. Chances are that a lawn is the biggest home water guzzler. In many areas of the U.S. 50% of water consumed by households is used outdoors. Removing grass and replacing it with water efficient plants saves water and the pocket book.
In planning and designing a yard it's best to begin by evaluating the yard and making an inventory of the existing plants. Some areas may be well-established and don't require much water. Slopes can be used for rainwater harvesting. Gravel lined flows move water to lower areas. Gutter downspouts can channel water to the gravel flows or to storage barrels. The average precipitation for the past six years in Flagstaff is a little over 19 inches, so collection of that water is beneficial and saves potable water for other uses. A proper landscape design efficiently uses water.
Amending soil will ensure better water holding capacity and better nutrient uptake for plants. Since it's more difficult to amend soil after a yard has been planted, take care to amend the soil before planting. Weeding both lawn and garden regularly will give plants more nutrients, light, and water. In addition, using a layer of mulch around plants reduces evaporation and promotes plant growth.
Plant selection is becoming easier as local nurseries and landscape professionals help gardeners in choosing water efficient varieties. Abundant resources are available locally and through the internet for selecting native or water-efficient plants.
Irrigation systems should allow for several zones having different water demands. The zone closest to the house should contain plants requiring more water. Harvested rain water would serve this area well. The middle zone needs less water. The zone farthest from the house needs very little to no water. Plants watered deeply but less frequently create healthier and stronger landscapes.
Watering cycles should be shorter to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption. Use smart timers to set the best watering cycle. Often a temporary irrigation system can be installed with the intent of removing it in three years. As time passes and plants become well-established, they will need less supplemental water.
Another water conservation measure is to use porous materials for walkways and driveways to keep water in the yard. Sloping a paved area toward planted areas will also prevent wasteful runoff.
The Flagstaff watering schedule is in effect. Addresses ending in even numbers may water only on Wednesday, Friday or Sunday. If ending in odd numbers, water on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. No Monday watering is allowed. No watering between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Hand watering is allowed, but not between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Also, do not water on windy days. This results in greater evaporation loss.
More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering, so be sure only to water plants when necessary. Many gardeners ironically drown their yards in a time when water is becoming scarce.
With proper planning and attention to water conserving measures, a water-efficient landscape can be stunning and will thrive with little attention once established. Summer is a good time to modify landscapes that use water inefficiently into water-efficient landscapes. It's a time to cut out wasteful mowing, watering, and fertilizing, transforming an unimaginative lawn into an unusually imaginative landscape, a garden of beauty. Creativity rises out of limitations, so less water means more beauty.
Ellen Ryan is the Water Conservation Manager for the City of Flagstaff. Dana Prom Smith is the volunteer editor for the Master Gardener Column. He can be contacted at stpauls@npgcable.com. For gardening questions, call the Master Gardener Hotline at 774-1868 ext.19 or visit the Master Gardener Web Site: highelevationgardening.arizona.edu.
Posted by maxmaddy at May 30, 2009 7:01 PM