Drought conditions force gardeners to rethink water use
One need look no further than the dire situation in California to know that drought and corresponding water conservation, are top of mind.
Meanwhile, the devastating forest fires consuming thousands of hectares in B. C., Alberta and Saskatchewan have been described as nothing short of apocalyptic. The dreaded D word — drought — is being mentioned more often than ever. And yet, conservation of water seems to be taken seriously only when there is no choice.
Consider that, in the U. S., it takes about 100 litres of fresh water to produce each $ 1 US worth of commodities and services. In Germany and the Netherlands, it takes about half that amount ( 50 litres). In Canada, industries use from 10- 15 litres of freshwater per $ 1 US of product.
That only one half of one per cent of the water on the planet is drinkable should give one pause for concern. And it gets worse. Fully 60 per cent of daily domestic drinking water used in North America is dedicated to turf- grass lawns and ornamental exotic gardens planted with species originating from different climates.
Meanwhile, an 8- by- 12 metre lawn requires 38,000 litres ( 10,000 gallons) of water a summer to keep it green!
Yet, gardeners can have their proverbial cake and eat it too by making even a slight change to their water usage. If you simply can’t bear the thought of living without a lush, gorgeous lawn, take into account that, including rainfall, your lawn only needs 2.5 centimetres ( one inch) of water per week. An upside- down Frisbee is a great water gauge; when full, this is about an inch of water.
Water early in the morning, not on windy days nor in the heat of the day.
Make sure your sprinkler dispenses water where it is supposed to. Watering a driveway or sidewalk is just silly.
Mow often and mow high is the rule of thumb for lawn care. Scalping the lawn creates thirsty roots requiring more water.
Leave grass clippings on the lawn. This creates a mulch and therefore less water evaporation. This also discourages weeds and reduces the amount of fertilizer required.
Replacing even just a small portion of your lawn with water- wise plants, shrubs and ground cover will save litres of fresh water. Shrubs fitting the bill include: chokeberry, cotoneaster, sea buckthorn, St. John’s wort, juniper, honeysuckle, mock orange, ninebark; cinquefoil, potentilla, wild rose, buffaloberry, spirea, lilac and some species of viburnum.
Water- wise perennials include: achillea ( yarrow), anthemis ( golden marguerite), campanula ( bellflower), Centaurea ( cornflower), coreopsis, dianthus, burning bush ( gas plant), purple coneflower, globe thistle, gaillardia ( blanket flower), cranesbill, heliopsis ( sunflower), day lily, dame’s rocket, flag iris, gayfeather, herbaceous peony, poppy, balloon flower, prairie crocus, black- eyed Susan and sedum.
Grasses and ground cover are ideally suited for dry conditions. Your best bets are: fescues, bugleweed, lady’s mantle, artemisia, alyssum, snow- in- summer, lily of the valley, dwarf common juniper, hens- and- chicks, speedwell and tufted hair grass.
Lastly, use mulch as often as possible. Wood chips, stone and bark help reduce evaporation and keep weeds down.
A slow- drop irrigation system is ideal and absolutely purchase a rain barrel to take advantage of Mother Nature’s gift.