Many gardeners are looking to incorporate sustainability into their gardening practices . One of the biggest resources used in the garden is water. How can we minimize the use of this precious resource and maximize the effects of the water we use? Here are some ways we can be water-wise in the garden.
Group
Like humans plants grow in community. Just as we evolved through the creation of societies and sharing of resources, so too have plants. We can foster these relationships in the garden by grouping plants together to maximize our resources, including water. One way is to pair plants together in terms of water, sun, and soil needs. For example, try grouping Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and lavender in a drought-tolerant herb bed that needs watering only once or twice a week.
Mulch
Another technique is to utilize low-growing plants as living mulch around the base of water-hungry crops to reduce evaporation, suppress weeds, and keep roots cool. Try under-sowing crops like pumpkins and squash with cover crops like clovers or Sweet Alyssum that will attract pollinators while providing the benefits of living mulch. Perennials like clover will also help to protect your ground over winter. You can also sow cover crops as pathways between garden beds.
Cover crops can be seeded at the same time as transplanting main crops, but if the main crop is also direct seeded, you will want to wait for it to establish before seeding cover crops. You can create living mulch with edible plants too. Try planting low-growing crops like lettuce and spinach at the base of climbing crops like pole beans and peas and trellised cucumbers and tomatoes. The lettuce and spinach benefit from some shade while keeping the roots of the climbing crops cooler and maintaining moisture.
You can utilize intercropping as mulch by planting fast growing crops like radishes and greens in beds of slower growing, larger crops like broccoli and cauliflower that can leave a lot of bare ground until they are large enough to create a canopy. Try rows of radishes between carrot rows or fast-growing kohlrabi between slow-growing cabbage.
You can take water-wise gardening to the next level through xeriscaping, which is landscaping with water conservation in mind. With drought-tolerant selections, once plants have been established, they will not require you to water them regularly, instead relying on rainfall. Find xeriscaping plant selections here.
Lose the Lawn
The majority of North American residential water is used for landscaping, mostly to water lawns. One of the most impactful actions you can take is to replace the lawn, either through xeriscaping or by planting a lawn alternative. You can read more on how to replace your lawn here.
Smart Watering Practices
How you water can make a huge difference in maximizing its effectiveness. You can water less frequently when you water deeply, early in the day. By watering the soil, not the plants, you can ensure the water is going where plants need it, directly to the roots. You can read more about smart watering practices here.
By utilizing these water-wise techniques in your garden, collectively we can ensure that our vital resources remain available, our gardens are more resilient, and we are building a sustainable future for all.