Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 2, 1993 TAG: 9307020212
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Joe Hunnings
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Planning and design: This stage is critical in a water-efficient landscape.
You can use your existing plants to modify your landscape to conserve water. One way to do this is to determine which plants require less water and plant them higher on a slope than those requiring more water. This way, excess water applied to the higher plants drains down to the lower ones for very efficient water use.
If you plan to purchase new plants and shrubs, look specifically for drought-tolerant varieties.
Using plants with lower water demands: Your choice of plants plays a key role in conserving water in the landscape. With a little planning, you can substitute a low-water plant for one that uses a lot of water and still retain the same color, shape, texture and bloom period.
Actually, some of your favorite plants may consume little water. Check with your local Extension office or nursery for drought-tolerant varieties.
Soil improvement: A soil with a good level of organic matter absorbs water faster, reducing runoff or erosion, but is aerated enough so that plant roots are able to absorb oxygen. Check your soil. Is it time to add compost or aged manure?
Appropriate lawn areas: Decide what portion of your landscape to devote to grass and what portion to fill with low-water-demand plants and shrubs. In the grassy areas, choose drought-tolerant varieties and consider letting your lawn go dormant during dry spells.
Maintenance: Maintaining a water-efficient landscape often means relearning how to water. Over-watering is a big cause of death for plants, as it under-watering.
When your plants go limp, turn yellow, or begin to die, they may actually be over-watered, not too dry. Check soil moisture level before watering, then water slowly and deeply for healthy, deep roots.
Mulching: Mulching prevents soil erosion by stabilizing the soil at the roots of your plants. It also controls soil temperature and reduces evaporation of soil moisture. This means you need to water less and the water is used more efficiently.
Efficient irrigation: Irrigation patterns should be designed to distribute the correct amount of water when and where the plants need it. Avoid watering paved surfaces and patios.
Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service agent for agriculture in Christiansburg. If you have questions call the Montgomery County extension office at 382-5790.
by CNB