| Water-wise Gardening |
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With so many trees and lawns in Southern California,
it is easy to forget we live in a desert. We import millions of gallons of water
from the Colorado River, Owens Valley, and north,
and pump millions more from aquifers.
Here are five steps to maintain a lush efficient garden that requires less water and pruning:Water is becoming shorter in supply and greater in cost. Climate change has caused severe droughts. Therefore, conserving water is critical. Water-wise gardening uses landscaping techniques to help conserve water while maintaining a beautiful yard. Here's a Fact Sheet. 1. Hydrozone: group plants according to their water needs. Hydrozone your yard and garden so that low water-use, moderate water-use and high water-use plants are grouped together. Also, use elevated planting beds so that plants are watered more efficiently, thereby reducing overall water usage. 2. Selecting Plants: use drought-tolerant or native plants to create a low water-use, low maintenance landscape. 3. Irrigation: install sprinklers, drip emitters, and timers so you only give plants the amount of water they actually need. 4. Improve Your Soil: mix compost into your soil to improve its moisture retaining capability and fertility. 5. Use Mulch: place mulch around your plants, along walkways, and on top of other bare areas to reduce water use and prevent weeds. |
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