Conservation Gardening
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Gardening Guides
Conservation Gardening
It's always been wise to conserve water in your home and garden. But in California today, conservation is more than just a good idea — it's essential. We need to stretch our water supplies to insure that there is enough water to serve everyone who needs it.
One of the best places to make significant reductions in water use is in your garden. People who live in urban areas use about half of their water outdoors. In the summer, garden water use climbs even higher as the weather gets hotter and drier.
Fortunately, you can save water in your garden without sacrificing the quality of your landscaping. By taking advantage of efficient irrigation techniques and using ornamental plants and ground covers that are suitable to long, dry summers, you can enjoy a beautiful landscape that requires significantly less water and maintenance than a less carefully designed one.
Water-Conserving Plants
Plants that are adapted to long, dry summers and short, rainy winters are called "Mediterranean zone" plants. These include plants that are native to California, as well as those that originated in southern Europe, South America, and other "Mediterranean" climates. These plants don't need much water in the summer, and have thrived in water-scarce conditions for thousands of years.
A list of readily available, water-friendly plants is available on this web site. While exploring the possibilities for your garden, be sure to check with your local nursery for their suggestions regarding what plants are best suited to your area.
Planting Hints
When planning a new garden or making changes to existing landscaping, keep water conservation in mind. For example:
- Limit the amount of area devoted to your lawn. Lawns need great quantities of water, particularly in the summer.
- Wait until fall or winter to install a new garden. New plantings require more water than established growth.
- Keep low-water plants away from "thirsty" plants. Mediterranean zone plants can suffer if they are over watered as you care for their neighbors.
- Keep shade plants in the shade. This will help prevent them from drying out.
- Place water-loving plants at the bottom of slopes where they will benefit from water runoff.
More Outdoor Savings
- A good way to check if your lawn needs watering is to just step on the grass. If it springs right back up, you don't need to turn on the sprinklers. When it's time to water, do it at dawn or dusk to reduce evaporation.
- Check your sprinkler system regularly. A sprinkler system can waste water if sprinkler heads are broken, automatic timers are not adjusted for rain, or hidden leaks are not detected.
- A garden hose can use 10 gallons of water per minute. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios, walkways, and driveways. When you do need the hose, use a nozzle to increase pressure and decrease water usage.