So the hot weather is here and after a long, cold winter the first few days of heat feel like a tropical holiday. Gardeners flock to stores and load up on purchases and out come the sprinklers.
Despite the fact we live in a rain forest, the reality is that we are also privy to long, hot dry summers with drought like conditions. Summer is the time we place our greatest demands on our water supply, and it is important to keep this in mind when building or tending to our gardens and lawns.
Everyone is talking about waterwise gardens these days and for good reason. Water is not an endless commodity, and we need to control the demand for water and educate ourselves regarding this precious resource.
Basically waterwise gardening includes incorporating the storage and collection of rainwater, choosing the correct plant species, soil improvement and proper maintenance techniques.
On my nightly walks I often see well-intentioned folks with their sprinklers waving to and fro. Often watering more of their driveway or ditches than the actual plant matter that needs a drink.
In a waterwise garden you want to capture the water before it flows along curbs and into the sewers. Be really specific where you position your watering devices and only irrigate areas where water can seep slowly downward into the soil, not impermeable surfaces.
Old-fashioned rain barrels are the new black. The City of Vancouver is offering rain barrels to collect rainwater from the roofs as an irrigation source for gardens in dry weather. This simple idea gives the water reservoirs a break in hot weather.
Plant your gardens in layers and plant a diverse amount of plant material. A layered landscape takes on a greater amount of rainfall than a single layer of a mono-culture (like a lawn). Try to grow a wide range of groundcovers, trees and shrubs to create a waterwise garden.
The health of your soil makes a huge difference as to how you use water in the garden. Pool soil with little organic matter allows water to leach through it very quickly and is not efficient. Amend your soil with compost and other organic matter as this increases its ability to hold water.
Mulching is another simple and great idea to keep gardens from drying out. Mulch inhibits weeds, and prevents nutrients leaching out of the soil. Mulches can be leaves, straw, wood chips - any organic material that will help to keep moisture in and control soil temperatures.
The biggest trick is to water carefully and not overwater. Roots that have to look for water grow deeply, which is ultimately healthier for plants. Daily watering is actually more harmful than helpful. Unless you have a newly installed garden you don't need to water daily.
Lastly, give native plants a try. Seeing as though they have thrived in our native landscapes for years and years, they are generally acclimatized to our growing conditions and don't need special attention during dry summer weather.
Waterwise gardening teaches us to prevent water wastage and help us to create clean water for present and future generations.
