Water-wise garden

Southern Living, Aug 2003 by Marty, Edwin

Using less moisture can actually mean more flowers, more color, and less expense.

For many gardeners, water is the source of spectacular color, lush foliage, and cooling sounds. However, water can have another side: expensive equipment, ever-increasing utility bills, and time-consuming chores. In San Antonio, Roberta McGregor discovered how to have all the benefits of a lush landscape with only a fraction of the water that her neighbors need. Her approach is simple: Develop a garden design based on the average annual rainfall, select plants suitable for the climate, and have an appropriate maintenance program.

Nine years ago, Roberta's yard was like many others in the San Antonio area-mostly grass. But after a drought killed most of her lawn and shrubs, she decided to experiment with a moisture-conserving garden.

Intelligent Design

Knowing the amount of annual rainfall, as well as when the moisture is naturally available, will help you to select plants that will thrive in your climate. If you live in an area that receives very little rainfall in the summer, growing salvia instead of roses will dramatically reduce the amount of watering you have to do. Your county Extension agent can help identify what plants are appro-priate for the conditions in your area.

A good garden design also considers the physical reality of your yard. What kind of soil do you have? If it's loose and sandy, the plants selected need to be drought-tolerant ones, such as lantanas or blanket flowers (Gaillardia sp.).

All the Right Choices

Self-reliant plants are the ideal solutions for gardens where water is an issue. Every region has choices that are either native to the area or from a similar geographic location. For instance, because of the alkaline soil and dry climate of West Texas, a Shumard red oak (Quercus shumardii) makes a much better shade tree than a pin oak (Q. palustris). Replacing regular turf grass with drought-tolerant kinds, such as buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides), will reduce the amount of time and energy you spend maintaining your yard. Selecting the right plants will ensure your investment is around in 10 years and still looking good.

Roberta has another major requirement for the plants that she uses. "I have to really love them. That means they have to do well in a drought, because I don't like to water." With a native plant nursery within walking distance of her house, she can watch what plants hold up best and provide the most color.

Proper Maintenance

Roberta found that the final key to creating a water-wise garden is maintenance. Installing an irrigation system is a great way to handle most of your plants' needs. Roberta prefers using soaker hoses because of their efficiency and ease of installation. But there are other ways to supply plants with the proper amount of moisture, such as drip systems or misters. Many plants can thrive on a surprisingly small amount of water, especially if it's applied in the early morning to minimize evaporation. Also, providing occasional heavy watering will encourage them to send roots deep into the ground, making them more drought tolerant and hardy.

Mulch is another key ingredient. Not only does a thick layer of mulch protect the plants' roots from drying out, but it also provides nutrients. The trick is to use the proper type. Organic ones, such as pine straw or shredded bark, break down over a season and return nutrients to the soil. Synthetic mulches, such as landscape fabric or plastic, won't provide these nutrients. However, because they don't break down, they don't need to be replaced every year.

Proper maintenance also entails installing plants correctly and at the right time. In most parts of the South, fall is the ideal time to put new plants in the ground because of the cooler temperatures and more consistent moisture. Planting a tree or shrub in the spring forces the new roots to survive a season of hot, dry conditions before they have really grown.