California is experiencing one of its driest years in history, and a major concern among garden center retailers is the perception of residents, who might think the best way to conserve water is to forgo landscaping on their own properties.
In February, California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency and called on residents to voluntarily decrease their water use by 20 percent. State officials have reported that 17 communities are in danger of running out of water in the coming weeks.
Retailers now have the challenge of communicating to their customers that conservation doesn’t have to mean sacrificing lush landscaping.
Altering Public Perception
“There is a worry the wrong message will resonate with the end consumer not to plant and let their yard suffer,” says James Russell, vice president and general manager of Armstrong Garden Centers.
“The message to target the plants rather than the way water is applied is having an effect. A short-sighted message promoted by those that sell so-called drought tolerant shrubs is taking hold and is shunning those who want a lusher tropical look,” says Russell. “A recent newscast showed a homeowner in the shadows not wanting to be on camera because her lawn and landscape were so green and lush. Balance is what we need. Succulents and native shrubs are great and should be a part of living in California.”
Russell says he believes growers should not allow the drought to take away what many people enjoy about living in California.
“If the media and government messaging continue to target plants as the reason we are in a drought, the effects will be a dry-looking, rock garden type of California,” he says. “We have the technology in irrigation control and devices that, if implemented, should not stop a consumer from having their garden of choice.”
If retailers can get the word out on how to best water, as well as the fact that most flowers do not need as much water as they are typically given, Californians could live between low water years without sacrificing the beauty of flowers in their homes and communities.
“Our company message is ‘Don’t change your garden; change the way you water!’ Research shows that California gardeners over water their gardens by as much as 50 percent,” Russell says.
Tips For Your Customers
Armstrong Garden Centers’ experts suggest that gardens and landscapes would actually be healthier if residents watered less, but more effectively.
Here are ten simple tips from Armstrong Garden Centers that could help your customers save water outdoors in a drought:
- Water early in the morning: Set automatic sprinklers to run in the early morning and finish before 8 a.m. This will reduce evaporation and will lessen the likelihood of water waste from interference from winds. It will also reduce plant disease and water damage.
- Mulch: Placing a layer of organic mulch on the soil surface around plants can save hundreds of gallons of water each year. Mulch prevents water evaporation and also stops weeds from growing.
- Repair and adjust sprinklers: Observe sprinklers as they run. Adjust them as necessary to reduce overspray on sidewalks, roads and patios etc. Repair damaged sprinklers immediately. Check pipes for leaks. Quick repairs and adjustments can save as much as 500 gallons each year.
- Water deeper, but less often: Most gardens on automatic sprinkling systems in California are over watered. Change systems to water every other day or every third day. At the same time, increase the times by only 50 to 75 percent. There will be less evaporation and water will be further down to where roots can access it.
- Change watering times with the seasons: Gardeners should adjusts automatic systems at least three times per year. Highest frequency will be July to October, lowest will be November to March, with April to June somewhere in between. During periods of rain, turn off automatic systems.
- Use trigger sprayers when hand-watering: Every hose should be equipped with a trigger sprayer so water is not wasted. Also, use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.
- Minimize water loss in pots: Use water-retentive potting soils such as Danish Potting Soil in all container gardens. Add soil polymers to potting soil and planting time. Polymers store water for plants’ use as the soil dries.
- Add lots of compost to your soil: Adding store-bought or homemade compost to planting beds and pots will decrease the amount water needed. Clay soils that are amended with organic matter will accept and retain water better. Sandy soils improved with compost will have improved water absorption and retention.
- Use organic fertilizers: Organic fertilizers slowly release nutrients into the soil at a natural rate that matches plants’ needs. With a slow, even feeding there is no overabundance of soft green growth that chemical fertilizers produce. Thus, plants need less water when fed organically.
- Install a smart sprinkler controller: The latest technology can help dramatically reduce water use (and water bills). These wireless “smart controllers” activate automatic sprinklers via computer based on current weather data and information about the specifics of your garden. This type of controller can save 40 gallons or more each day.
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