Is there a water-Scrooge on your gift list? - garden water-saving devices

Sunset, Dec, 1991

SAVVY WATER-conserving gardeners are sure to welcome as Christmas gifts any of the devices pictured here. They measure garden water, store it, apply it with less waste, or make it go further. Prices range from $1 to $90. Use the least expensive items--wildflower seeds, polymer gel packets, and water nozzles--as stocking stuffers. Look for any of them in garden centers, home stores, and catalogs.

Rain gauge (1). Measures rain in 10ths of an inch; helps you decide when and how much to water ($7).

Self-watering pot (2). Easy-to-fill reservoir delivers water to plants as they need it. Eliminates over- or under-watering ($20 to $50).

Rain barrel (3). Plastic barrel with precut hole to place under downspout collects rainwater for garden use. Holds 35 gallons ($65; Gardener's Eden, Box 7307, San Francisco 94120).

Deep waterers-aerators (4, 5, 6). Thread a hose into the handle, push the perforated point into the ground, and inject water and fertilizer deep into plant's root zone with little runoff or evaporation loss ($17 to $32).

Drought-tolerant plants (7). Shown in the basket are three of many choices for long seasons of color: bright purple Verbena rigida, rosy pink sedum, and white-striped ribbon grass ($4 to $8 for 1-gallon pots).

Multi-pattern sprinkler (8). Dial to select watering patterns for narrow strips and half-circles ($6 to $15).

Moisture meter (9). Insert slender metal probe in soil to measure moisture content ($7). More sophisticated types hook to irrigation systems ($40 and up).

Bubbler (10). Deep-waters without washing or eroding soil; screws to hose ($4).

Multi-pattern nozzle (11). Select various spray patterns from gentle to jet ($5 to $10).

Soil auger (12). Makes 2-inch-diameter holes in soil for deep watering, aerating, and fertilizing trees and large shrubs ($11 to $14).

Watering wand (13). Threads onto hose to stretch across beds. Built-in on-off valve or pistol grip reduces waste ($12 to $17).

Digital controller (14). Automatically turns water on and off; screws between hose and faucet ($89).

Water timers (15, 16). Fit between faucet and hose; set to measure a specific number of gallons (15, $14) or 1/2-gallon increments (16, $30). For the latter, write or call Jea-Mar Sales Co., 22811 Ave. 184, STrathmore, Calif. 93267; (209) 781-0537.

Submersible pump (17). Helps move gray water from indoor sinks or bathtubs--or rainwater from plastic garbage cans or gathered on swimming pool covers--into the garden. Various capacities ($45 to $80).

Books (18). Inspire gardeners to design attractive, water-conserving landscapes and learn water-wise techniques.

Gray Water Use in the Landscape, by Robert Kourik (Metamorphic Press, Santa Rosa, Calif., 1988; $6).

Waterwise Gardening (Sunset Publishing Corporation, Menlo Park, Calif., 1989; $7.95).

The Xeriscape Flower Gardener, by Jim Knopf (Johnson Publishing Co., Boulder, Colo., 1991; $14.95).

Water-Conserving Plants and Landscapes for the Bay Area (East Bay Municipal Utilities District, 1990; $11); to order, call (510) 287-0590.

Water-retaining gels (19, 20). Mixed into the soil, gels absorb water and keep it available longer to plant roots ($3 to $36).

Wildflower seeds (21). Many drought-tolerant types, including lupine, poppies, and coreopsis. Sow during wet winter months for spring and summer color ($1 to $5).