Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With careful planning and waterwise splashing, that's how every garden should grow. As languorous sunny days span with scorching heat, our luscious green gardens sizzle. Contrary to common belief, our beloved blankets of nature do not need constant dousing to quench the drought. The average British Colombian saturating their lawn, uses an estimated 677 litres of water. This method of consistent drenching actually does not help our gardens to cultivate a deep-rooted, tolerant system for which to flourish. Instead, the opposite is achieved as the roots grow along close to the surface, rather than seeking moisture deep within the earth. This leads them vulnerable to disease and infestation. Rather, measure the amount you water by placing a tin can in the soil. Once the tin is filled to approximately one inch, you have your optimal watering measurement. Do this once a week in the morning (as opposed to evening or afternoon) to retain moisture without giving the plants a chill. Use mulch to increase moisture containment, protect plants and squash weeds. Also consider alternatives to the thirsty lawn such as tastefully designed landscapes using mulch, stones, and small, purposefully placed, decorative shrubs and herbs (which you can use in your cooking also). When done properly, you will have a self dependant, esthetically pleasing as well as functional yard that you will be proud of and want to hang out in. For ideas try looking at http://www.landscapingbynature.com/
For great gardening tips this book is a must:
A Year on the Garden Path : A 52-Week Organic Gardening Guide
by: Carolyn Herriot. $24.95
found in stores or at www.earthfuture.com/gardenpath
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Great tips.
WE just let the damn grass go yellow - big deal. Most of it is moss anyways and it just turns back green when the rainy season comes back. Last year, with the little rain we had in the summer in greater Vancouver, we didn't water the lawn once.
As a matter of fact, we will be converting that big open green space in front of our house to a vegetable garden. Grass is such a waste of space. There is a movement (lost the link) in the states where people get rid of their grass in front of the house and plan vegetable gardens and neighbors share the produce.
And with rain barrels, you can irrigate your garden, further conserving water. The only bummer is that most roofs use asphalt shingles and I would not recommend collecting water from those into rain barrels used for vegetable garden irrigation.
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