Grow a beautiful garden the water wise way
Saving water and enjoying the beauty and environmental benefits of plants are not only possible, but easy says the American Association of Nurserymen (AAN). "Water Wise" gardening is built on some basic, commonsense principles:
Planning
Planning a water wise garden or landscape is as easy and fun-as planning any type of garden. Talk to the professionals at your local center/landscape firm to see which plants will do well in your area. You may be surprised to find that some very beautiful, colorful plants are low on water consumption-and they may fit into your landscape perfectly.
Group together plants that require the same amount of water. Plant trees and shrubs to provide shade to cool buildings, air conditioning units, patios, decks, and other landscape features. Shelter container plants by moving them to shady areas. Spike or aerate lawns to insure maximum water penetration. Control weeds which compete with useful plants for water.
Soil Improvement
Soil improvement is another easy and beneficial step in building a water wise garden. Soil that is well prepared at the time of planting influences the plant's initial development and yields the best results. And plants placed in the proper soil will be healthier, often needing less water.
Soil characteristics include texture, structure, depth, and nutrients. To find out more about your soil content, test your soil with the following garden products: Accugrow Soil Test Kit or the Sunleaves Three-Way Meter.
Wise Irrigation
Efficient irrigation is a critical part of water wise gardening. Your irrigation system can be simple, such as a hand-held hose, or elaborate, such as an in-ground sprinkler system. Consider a drip water conservation system, which can save up to 60% of water used by sprinkler irrigation. Whatever you choose, make sure you plan your watering to get best results.
Deep, infrequent watering, promotes root growth and is the wisest use of water and encourages strong rooting. This provides greater tolerance to dry spells. Water early in the day, and on less windy days, to reduce evaporation loss. The ideal time is from dawn to 9:00 a.m. Turn off sprinklers before water is wasted as runoff into gutters and streets.
Mulching
Mulching is always a benefit to your garden and can help prevent soil erosion and evaporation, conserving the water that is available and keeping your plants healthy and strong.
Maintenance
Maintaining your water wise garden means learning how to water all over again. You may find that watering less means having more time to sit back and enjoy your garden. Generally, plants should be watered less often and for a long period of time. Drip, soaker, or deep root watering promotes healthy plants and less water use.
Water Wise Gardening Tips
Follow these handy watering tips from AAN, and you'll soon be started on your own environmentally sound garden or landscape. For garden products mentioned in this article, please visit http://www.spray-n-growgardening.com
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Tips and Techniques For Watering Your Container Garden Plants
- Using Flower Garden Plants Effectively For a Garden Full of Blooms
- Fun, Funky Garden Plants
- Giving Your Garden Plants The Best Chance For Success
- How To Create New House and Garden Plants By Using Stem Cuttings And Rooting Hormone
- In the Bible versus the Quran: the Mustard tree is the largest of all garden plants
- 3 Important Tips for Your Herb Garden Plants
- The Best Herb Garden Plants For Inside Your Home
How to make a dust bin receptacle
By: Andrew Karundu | 28/11/2009A dust bin receptacle is located at the entrance of a home. This is for the access by the garbage collecting company. This is a structure that should be covered as per the public heath authorities regulations.
Be an Artist and Plant a Garden
By: Annie Deakin | 28/11/2009The art of landscaping is a very fine art that requires full knowledge of the soil, the nature of growth forms and methods of cultivation, as well as colors of flowers to put them in place. Having the taste and the imagination to blend these broad elements to give the...
How to Make a Lasagna Garden
By: Annie Deakin | 28/11/2009If you want a garden, but think that you do not have the time or energy for all that digging and weeding that it would take to get a garden spot ready, then you should consider a lasagna garden. This method of gardening gives you fluffy rich soil with very...
Home Water Garden Basics
By: Jason Boonstra | 28/11/2009Creating your home water garden can be an overwhelming task if you have limited experience. Let this article give you a basic start to understanding what you need to begin with the basics of your home water garden.
Garden Awnings Impart a Spacious Look to Your House from Outside
By: garretlloyd | 28/11/2009Garden awnings are outdoor awnings which provide protection to your outside space from the harsh rays of the sun and other weather damages. These awnings are usually installed in gardens, patios, and backyards.
We Are Climbing Jacobs Ladder in Our Online Nursery
By: tammy sons | 28/11/2009Jacob's Ladder The name Jacob's Ladder came from the Greek word - polemos which means war. The Jacob's Ladder is a gorgeous plant that thrives in part shady area, if you give it too much sun then it looks yellow and dingy losing its flare and appeal. Many homeowner's use this...
A Super Fast Growing Evergreen
By: tammy sons | 28/11/2009Leyland Cypress Trees Do you have noisy neighbors and would love to have a plant that helps block out the noise? Fences don't work and hedges can get big and bulky so what other choices are there? How about the Leyland Cypress? They have long been known for their fast growing...
Nursery Growers Sells Cheap Pine Trees
By: tammy sons | 28/11/2009Virginia Pine Pinus Virginiana B&B - The Windscreen Pine Having its scientific name as pinus viuginiana, Virginia Pine is one of the common pine shrubs that grow in the drier sites. This is a monoecious evergreen tree, growing to a height of about 50 to 70 feet. It does not always...
How to keep your plants disease free
By: Organic Gardener | 29/10/2009 | GardeningNo matter where your garden is located, you will have to deal with plant diseases. Even if you have had good luck in the past, there will come a day when disease strikes your plants. Here are a few tips to help you keep your garden disease free.
How to Identify and Manage the Basic Types of Garden Insects
By: Organic Gardener | 29/10/2009 | GardeningLearn to identify and manage three basic types of garden pests
How to rid your garden of bugs
By: Organic Gardener | 29/09/2009 | GardeningIf you don't think you have bugs in your garden - guess again. In a typical backyard there are probably 1,000 little critters setting up house. Here are just a few ways you can de-bug your garden.
How to Grow an Herb Garden
By: Organic Gardener | 29/09/2009 | GardeningYou don’t have to be a chef or have a green thumb to grow an herb garden. Culinary herbs are extremely easy to grow. Once they get going, they add fragrance, texture and color to just about any garden or space. Harvest your culinary herbs to make everything from herbal teas, vinegars and flavorful recipes.
How to Turn Your Yard and Garden Into a "Naturescape"
By: Organic Gardener | 28/08/2009 | GardeningWater-wise "naturescapes" offer savings. When it comes to watering your lawn and paying water bills, sound gardening practices can cut down homeowner investments of effort, time and money, reports the American Association of Nurserymen.
How to Start a Garden
By: Organic Gardener | 28/08/2009 | GardeningPlanting a garden can be easier and more enjoyable with these gardening tips.
How to Plant a Cutting Garden
By: Organic Gardener | 30/06/2009 | GardeningA cutting garden is designed to provide flowers for indoor arrangements, and it will give you a new perspective on removing flowers from your garden.