Make the most of our rainwater
We were blessed with rains this summer: a very warm and dry June followed by milder temperatures and rains in July and August. These rains are a perfect place to start if you are thinking about landscaping your yard. Which plants are naturally getting the rain, which ones could benefit from a little more water and, most importantly, how much water is leaving your property that could be used?
Berms and swales are perfect for capturing the rains that are coming off your roof and delivering rain to the plants that need additional water. Coupled with mulching and amending your soils, they provide a great way to maintain a healthy water-wise landscape without undue dependence on an irrigation system.
A key priority for your watering plan is to capture and utilize as much of the rain that is falling on your property as you can, ideally targeting zero runoff. That means you are utilizing as much of the free rain water as you can, and you’re not adding to a downstream stormwater problem.
It is amazing how much rain falls on a house, but it is even more amazing how much falls on a typical
lot. During a 1-inch rain event, a 1,500-square-foot home can capture nearly a thousand gallons. But a typical residential lot of 100 by 150 feet can harvest over 9,000 gallons. Just one rain event can supply all the water your entire landscape needs for a typical month.
The secret is not allowing this water to run off your property. Key are the berms and swales to direct rain to where water is needed, then making sure your soil can absorb and retain this moisture for long periods of time.
Now your soil becomes your rain barrel or your cistern. To achieve a good amended soil, mix in organic matter and manure. Add peat moss, vermiculite, pumice, or scoria to create a soil that will improve water retention.
Recent studies have shown that properly amended soils covered with mulch can retain water for weeks after a rain event. There are many great resources on the internet on soil amendments. These are a few of my favorites:
www.planetnatural.com/ soil-amendments
www.thesoilguy.com/SG/ SoilAmendments
http://extension.colostate. edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ choosing-a-soil-amendment
Soils need all types of amendments to stay healthy. Some provide plants with minerals, while others support the ecosystems needed to maintain healthy soil or improve water-retention capabilities. Water retention is critical in our arid climate. Using these techniques, your landscape can be maintained mostly on rainwater, with only occasional use of city or well water.
Our rains are sporadic and always special. A great place to start to have a great landscape is to get outside, watch and learn. Visualize making every precious drop that falls on your property part of your landscape plan.
Doug Pushard, founder of the website www.HarvestH2o. com, has designed and installed residential rainwater systems for over a decade. He is a member of the Santa Fe Water Conservation Committee, a lifetime member of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association, and an EPA WaterSense Partner. He can be reached at doug@HarvestH2o.com.