Friday, June 25, 2010

Friday Afternoon Garden Club 6.25.2010


It’s FAC time in The Art Garden!  Grab your favorite beverage and pull up a chair.  You didn’t really want to work this afternoon anyway, did you?  Leave a comment to join the garden party.
Today’s topic:

The heat is on, and it's time to get serious about wise water use.  What do you think saves more water:  using drought tolerant plants or managing your irrigation system more efficiently?  Which practice is more sustainable? Does your municipality allow the use of rain barrels or gray water?  What are your favorite tips for conserving water in the landscape?

3 comments:

Debbie said...

Jocelyn, I don't know for a fact but I would think that using drought-tolerant plants would be the more sustainable long-term choice.

My city (Stamford, CT) allows rain barrels and I have one but am looking to get another. I got mine last year through a promotion at the local arboretum. I got a break on the cost and didn't pay shipping so it was a no-brainer. It came from the NE Rain Barrel Co. and was made from a recycled barrel but it was bright blue. We painted it gray to match the house and it's practically invisible now. My best tip for conserving water would be to get a rain barrel, or two, if you don't have one already.

Jocelyn H. Chilvers said...

Hi, Debbie, I agree with you about drought tolerant plants being the best long term solution!

Irrigation management is a tool that can be used on a regular basis for new, established, or gardens in transition. For example, we played around with our sprinkler system and found that we get the best results (on our sandy soil) when we water our lawn more frequently - but for shorter periods of time - than our water provider recommends.

You will be shocked to hear that rain barrels are illegal in Colorado. Yes, it's true! Our water laws are archaic and complex. However, you can channel water so that it slows and soaks into the soil rather than immediately running off your property.

Thanks for visiting, Debbie!

Anonymous said...

Has to be the right plants, no? I do save rainwater, never water grass, but do water generously things moved in the last couple of years and anything in distress. And then generously to encourage deeprooting.
Best Wishes
Robert