Hi, I'm Tricia, an organic gardener. I grow organically
for a healthy and safe food supply. For a clean and sustainable environment.
For an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
As the West faces the worst drought in decades
we gardeners can do our part to conserve water.
The first step is to learn about the water needs of the plants you are growing
to avoid overwatering. Not only do different plants have different watering
needs
but there needs will change based on the seasons. Evaluate your watering needs
based on the plants needs. How and where you plant will also make a difference
to its water needs.
Plants planted in a block that get morning sun
and afternoon shade will need much less water
than plants planted in a row that get full afternoon sun.
Base your watering on the stage of the plants,
young seedlings or seeds that are germinating will need to be kept moist
but as their roots grow they'll need less and less water.
As your plant matures move them to deep
in frequent watering so that the roots will develop. Deep rooted plants are much
more drought-tolerant
than shallow rooted plants. Know the maximum root depth of your plants
for example if you're growing lettuce the root depth is about two feet
if you're watering for a four-foot root depth you're watering too much.
On the flip side if you're watering and deep-rooted plant like a tomato or
pumpkin
as if you only had a two foot root system instead of a four foot root system,
the plant will develop a shallow root system and need more frequent waterings
to keep it alive.
just as you understand your plants you need to understand your soil.
Different soil types have different moisture needs and will hold water
differently.
Clay soil holds water very well but absorbs it slowly.
So water longer, less frequently and with low flow emitters.
Sandy soil is the exact opposite. Loam soil is somewhere in the middle.
Check out our video on Soil Types for help
determining your soil type.
Work compost or other organic matter into the soil
to improve its water holding capacity. Compost
acts like a sponge. After putting organic matter into the soil,
apply mulch on the top of the soil. Mulch slows the evaporation water and keeps the
soil cooler.
Weed frequently. Don't waste your precious water on weeds.
And be smart about when you water.
Water between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. when the temperatures are cooler
and the sun isn't out. More water will soak in instead evaporating.
And use a timer. Pay attention to the weather.
If it's over cast or cool you can water less. One of the biggest things you can
do to conserve water is to use drip irrigation.
Drip irrigation such as buried soaker hoses,
efficiently supply water to plants root zones
rather than spraying the water into the air and having some of it evaporate
before it ever even reaches the plant. Check out our video on drip irrigation
for examples
of some of the different types of drip irrigation. Another thing you can do to
conserve water
is to refrain from introducing any new perennials or trees into the garden.
Even natives and drought-tolerant plants require a lot of water
when getting established. Plant new landscape plants in the fall when the
weather is cool
and hopefully rainfall will contribute to their watering. Consider adding
hardscape elements to your garden
rather than adding new plants. Pretty garden sculptures
don't require any water. If you need to add new plants in the spring,
native and drought-tolerant plants. Rein in the pruning on existing plants.
Pruning will create vigorous growth which is going to require more water.
We gardeners can do a lot for water conservation
and you have to give up your garden just because of the drought. So be water wise
and grow organic for life!