Conservation in the garden

 

Choose right irrigation system for your plants

 

By Pedro Arrais, Canwest News ServiceJune 12, 2009

 

 

Water consumption by residents increases every summer. Unfortunately, much of that is wasted due to inefficient watering practices. Gardeners have to become more water-wise as they do their part to in adopting a variety of sustainable solutions to conserve and reduce water consumption.

"Many people just spray a whole pile of water in the air and hope the plants get it," says Derek Duffy, a horticultural instructor at the Pacific Horticulture College in Victoria. Irrigation is a component in the gardening curriculum he teaches a the college. "But watering at the wrong time, like in the middle of a hot day, can lead to half of the water lost to evaporation. The remaining water droplets get magnified by the sun and burn the leaves. It's best to water in the early morning."

Although landscape irrigation can use large amounts of water, a properly installed in-ground system can conserve water if done efficiently. Depending on the selling price of the home, installed irrigation systems have become more common with new houses and are always a component in the design of multi-family housing.

"Overwatering is not only wasteful but also leads to soil erosion and affects plant health," says Deborah Walker, who works in the water services division of the CRD. "Using low water volume irrigation systems, sometimes referred to as micro-drip systems, can help conserve water."

To educate homeowners, the CRD puts on two workshops every summer - one for general irrigation practices, and another specifically to introduce homeowners to the benefits of the new micro-drip systems.

"Some gardeners have come up with ingenious ways to save water, like using cleaned-out old oil tanks to serve as underground reservoirs," says Duffy. "Humans have been harvesting water for thousands of years."

Retailers selling garden equipment have also noticed an increase in demand for efficient watering devices. Lee Valley Tools (www.leevalley.com) sells a range of watering devices.

"We have noticed a larger trend toward micro-drip systems," says Emily Routly, a customer service representative. "In the last few years the systems have become very simple to install and more people feel comfortable setting up their own system."

A do-it-yourself above-ground drip irrigation system costs about $52.50. In-ground systems cost from $500 to $5,000, depending on the size and complexity of the installation.

But the ultimate in water conservation is to replace water-hungry plants with a drought-tolerant gardens.

Plants in a drought-tolerant garden need little water. Plants such as sedum, hens and chicks and euphorbia can give texture and colour to a garden all summer.

Native plants are automatically drought-tolerant and flourish in our ecosystem as well. But different native plants flourish in different conditions. Gardeners should take into account sun exposure and soil conditions in their gardens before they purchase plants. Note whether the garden is:

- Moist or wet

- Sunny

- Shady

- Close to the shore

- Rock grade

- Ground-covered

- Garry oak ecosystem

Duffy advises homeowners not to take a one-size-fits-all approach to watering. "Create microclimates and tailor different irrigation solutions for the different types of plants."

- - -

USEFUL TIPS

COLLECTING AND RECYCLING

Rain barrels attached to downspouts can capture up to 272 litres of rain for every inch of rain on nine square metres of roof. Make sure the barrels have a secure lid to prevent mosquitoes or children from gaining access. Barrels should have an overflow and an attachment for a hose.

MULCH

A five-to-10 centimetre carpet of mulch reduces the number of weeds, helps conserve soil moisture and moderates soil temperature. Mulches include straw, leaf, bark or gravel. Mulch around the trunks of new or young trees as turf will compete with the trees for water.

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Consider installing a low-water volume micro-drip irrigation system. These systems can be tailored to deliver precise amounts of water to individual flowers, trees, shrubs and vegetables.

As much thought should also be given to the maintenance of a system. Proper maintenance is an important part of an efficient system. Draw up a maintenance, seasonal adjustment and winter schedule.

DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTINGS

Perennial plants such as day lilies, flax, pinks, bellflowers and peonies thrive under dry conditions. Annuals such as cosmos, sage, mallow and California poppies are drought-tolerant but still provide colour in a garden.

LAWNS

Homeowners should de-thatch and aerate their lawns at least once a year. Too much thatch can rob roots of oxygen and water. Aerating a lawn lets air flow into the soil and provides the grass roots with oxygen. Lawns need only 25 millimetres of water per week. Longer, infrequent watering will help develop deeper, healthier roots. Some homeowners have replaced their lawns entirely with low-growing ground covers that don't require as much water.

via canada.com