Following on the heels of such a dry winter, and with two hits of early heat already, spring rains are a welcome sight this year. Gardening and landscaping to reduce the need for watering can be a really good way to reduce water bills and conserve water. As our population grows, and the variety of ways we use our land grows with it, demand for water resources may outpace the present-day supply.
Did you know that our area uses up to two to three times as much water in summer months than during the winter? When dry conditions impact our area, water consumption can become a problem. If you want to try something new in the garden and yard this spring, here are some ideas you might consider to conserve water:
Get to know your yard
Just like our great state, your yard contains several microclimates, which are areas with specific growing conditions. One patch may be sunnier and drier; water may tend to pool in another corner. Take time when planning to notice conditions such as the intensity and duration of sunlight, humidity, soil type, and wind direction in each part of your garden. Selecting the right plant for the right place will reduce failed plantings and frustrations. Putting each plant in the right place can reduce the costs of watering or help soak up extra water, preventing runoff.
Plant a resilient rain garden
In soggy spots of the garden, plants that soak up rain water can really thrive, and they can slow the delivery of water to the sewer. But how do rain gardens fair when the weather is dry? Surprisingly well, if you select the right plant for the job. Many Pacific Northwest native plants can tolerate both wetter and drier conditions, making them perfect for tolerating droughts between rains. In sunnier areas, try bald-hip rose, red twig dogwood, or western fescue, among others. In shadier areas, vine maple, Oregon grape, or small-fruited bulrush may work well.
Plant a drought-resistant oasis
Xeriscaping, on the other hand, is the practice of selecting plants that are drought tolerant to reduce or eliminate the need for adding water. And it doesn’t have to mean a yard filled with rocks, either. A major water hog for many families is the lawn, which has a tendency to turn crisp and brown in times of drought. One strategy for reducing water use during the summer may be to build up your own tolerance of a dry and dusty yard. If that isn’t for you, consider seeding with more resilient grass species that can take the heat, such as blue wild rye or annual hair grass, or substitute groundcovers like kinnikinnick, creeping mahonia, or stonecrop.
Compost and mulch
Improving the health of the soil by adding more organic matter will help to increase the soil’s ability to hold moisture, reducing the frequency with which you need to water. Our soils in this region are composed mostly of sand and clay, with some silt and loam mixed in. Adding more organic matter (you might think of it as the original quicker-picker-upper) especially helps to speed up abortion of water and slow down its release. Once water has made it into the soil, you probably wouldn’t want to see it just bake away on a hot, sunny day. Even in our cooler and moister climate, garden beds can benefit from three inches of organic mulch to help shade, cool and keep moist the soil below. Just be sure to look for weed free versions.
Weed-free means water-less
Become a Weed Watcher and help prevent weeds from robbing your garden of moisture! These uninvited guests in our yards and gardens rob soils of moisture and nutrients, making it difficult for the plants we cultivate to compete for resources. Keeping a vigilant eye out for weeds and removing them properly or reporting them is essential to healthy and water-wise plot! Also, consider watering in the cool evening hours to slow down evaporation and transpiration. If you and your family are really excited about better understanding Oregon’s climate, consider contributing as a citizen-scientist to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, where you can help track weather.
Much of the information in this article is drawn from the Regional Water Consortium’s 7 Basic Steps for Creating Water Efficient Landscapes, which is an excellent resource for starting to think about water-wise gardening. For more information, feel free to contact the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District at tualatinswcd@gmail.com.
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