california; easy water-wise gardening - san diego

8/3/2019 California; Easy Water-Wise Gardening - San Diego

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32 Sunset Easy Water-Wise Ga

Copyright 2009Sunset Publishing CorporationER-641

A

smart Gardening ideasSubscribe to Sunset magazine for landscaping inspirationand gardening advice tailored to your climate in eachmonthly issue. Visit sunset.com or call 800/777-0117.

Use these companion books from Sunset to help yo ugarden successfully in your climate zone. Available atyour local bookseller and home and garden center.

Many proessionals can help you

design and implement a water-

conserving landscape. Beore deciding

on anyone, get several bids and talk

with previous clients.

Local water districtsusually oer

a wealth o inormation, including

recommended plant lists, watering

guidelines, and water-saving tips.

Landscape architectsdesign entireoutdoor environments, rom plantings

to structures like patios and decks.

Licensed and university-trained, they

can provide the whole package, rom

design to installation. Or they can help

in specic trouble spots, such as steep

slopes or areas with poor drainage.

Landscape contractorsare trained

and licensed in methods o earth

moving, construction, irrigation, and

planting. They are very useul or di-

cult projects.

Landscape or garden designers

have varying degrees o education but

are usually not licensed. The ocus o

their work is likely to be residential

gardens. Oten they work in conjunc-tion with a landscape contractor.

Irrigation consultants are

usually licensed contractors associated

with an irrigation-supply store (another

good source o inormation). They can

help design and install ecient irriga-

tion systems.

Local nurseries can oer useul

inormation and assistance in choosing

plants and irrigation equipment. Many

have design services.

Easy water-wise

gardeningAdvice and design ideasfor the 21st century.From the editors ofA

ThomasJ.Story

Favorite websitesbewaterwise.comLow-water landscape

design ideas, irrigation advice, and

links to local water agencies.

ccwater.com/conserveContra Costa

Water Districts website provides inor-

mation on water conservation, land-

scape design, and maintenance.

irrigation.orgInormation on smart

controllers and ecient irrigation, andtips or hiring an irrigation contractor.

irrigationessentials.comInormation on

irrigation equipment and ecient

watering.

www.nrcs.usda.govTips or backyard

conservation.

savingwater.orgThe Saving Water Part-

nerships website provides water-

conserving inormation or the

Northwest.

snwa.org The Southern Nevada Water

Authoritys website provides inorma-

tion on low-water plants, landscaping,

and irrigation.

sunset.comSunsets website oers

landscape ideas, planting plans, and

detailed inormation about localclimate zones.

water.ca.govCaliornia Department o

Water Resources website provides

inormation on drought in Caliornia,

unthirsty plants, and ecient irrigation.

Sunset Plant Finder

Where to get help

Looking for the right low-waterplant for your climate and gardeningstyle? Go to sunset.com/plantfinderand search by type, growing condi-tions, and color.


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Great gardefor a new erIn the West, water is as preciogold. Most o our rainall comes

yet many garden plants need irr

in summer, during our driest mo

Seasonal droughts, groundwate

tion, and population growth str

valuable resource. I we are to henough water in the uture, we

avoid wasting water in our hom

gardens today.

O the water Westerners use

about 50 percent goes to garde

most important place to start a

tion program is right outside ou

Fortunately, water conservation

mean settling or a barren lands

means practicing good gardenin

ing plants well adapted to your

improving your soil, watering e

and taking advantage o the late

tion technology all help save w a

Plants that require less wate

widely available at nurseries. Th

Western Garden Book,Sunset Wesscaping, and the onlineSunset P

tool (sunset.com/plantfnder) can

you with lists and plans.

In this booklet, we oer man

save water in your garden, inclu

watering strategies based on so

smart use o watering devices, a

about selecting an ecient irrig

system or your garden.

Contents4 Low-water landscape

Elements o a dry garden, p

or all climates, planting pl

permeable suraces

14 Efcient irrigationManual watering, sprinkle

systems, choosing the righ

26 Water savings

Mulch basics, rainwater ha

putting it all together

32 Where to get help

Proessionals to consult an

to browse

A gorgeous mix olow-water plants,including Caliorniaescue, carex, catmint,erigeron, Garnet

penstemon, lavender,Mexican bush sage,Morning Lightmiscanthus, androsemary.

SaxonHolt


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Design

No lawnUsing a tapestry o groundcoversinstead o thirsty tur to landscapethe ront yard saves pr ecious water.designJerey Gordon SmithLandscape Architecture, Los Osos,CA (jgsdesigns.com)

Drip irrigationLow-low irrigation is the mosteicient way to water plantstheres no runo or evaporation.Its also the healthiest system orplants because the water penetratesdeeply into the soil, encouragingplant roots to do the same.

Permeable pavingStrips o elin thyme andArmeriamaritima dissect the lagstone pavingleading to the ront door, soaking uprainall and directing excess to theyard on either side.

Xeric plantsNative and Mediterranean plants,such as the manzanita, yarrow,Euphorbia, and Kniphofia pictured,are well adapted to the West: Theyrequire little water and maintenance,and their blue-green, gray-greenoliage looks right in our light.

MulchA thick layer o mulch hesoil moisture. But it can design, creating negativmakes plant groupings ospecimens stand out.

Elements ofa low-waterlandscapeA dry garden can be as

inviting as any otherDrought is a act o lie in the West.Its part o the natural weather cycle.

That's why water conservation should be a

part o every Westerners liestyle. Happily,

a well-designed water-wise landscape can

be lush and colorul and will make your

home a beautiul and inviting place.

Start by leaving more areas unplanted

than you would i you li ved in a wetter

climatea big water savings right o the

top. Make the paths generous and put

gravel under seating areas instead o

planting a groundcover. Use decomposed

granite in place o thirsty lawn grass. T hen

plant the remaining spaces with ornamen-

tals that are adapted to arid climates.

Finally, to highlight waters revered statusin the unthirsty garden, add a ew traces

o it, some real, some illusory: a ountain

that barely trickles, a dry streambed that

awaits the next downpour, or a lovely urn.

StevenA.Gunther

8 Water-savingbasicsFollow these guidelines fora water-efficient garden1. IMPROVE THE SOILRoutinely cultivate thesoil in your vegetable andannual beds, incorporat-ing organic matter suchas compost. Doing so

improves the soils abilityto retain moisture. Mostlandscape plants (trees,shrubs, and native plantsespecially) establishfaster when planted innative soils without theaddition of amendments.If your soil is sandy orrocky, you may need toadd compost.2. plant in the rightplace Locate unthirstyplants where theyll getthe sun (or shade) expo-sure and soil drainagethey need. Group plantsthat have similar waterneeds so none gets toolittle or too much water.3. Shrink the lawn

Most lawn grasses needenormous amounts ofwater to stay green andlush. Reduce your lawnssize, orunless you needit for kids to play oneliminate it altogether.4. CONTROL WEEDSThese garden intruderssteal water needed bydesirable plants. Regu-larly hoe or pull them outwhen theyre young, oruse landscape fabrics andmulches to discouragegrowth.

5. Upgrade yourirrigation system Addelements such as smartcontrollers connected toweather stations andnew, highly efficientsprinklers or drip emittersto make precision water-ing much easier. (Seepages 1621.)

6. WATER DEEPLY Irrigateestablished plants thor-oughly but infrequentlyto encourage roots togrow downward; they willbe buffered from the wet-dry cycle typical of theupper soil area and maytap into groundwater.7. IRRIGATE EFFI-CIENTLY Make sure yourwatering practices anddevices are as efficient aspossible. Water plantsonly when needed, not bythe calendar or clock.Water at night, whenevaporation is muchlower and the air gener-ally calmer. Tightenfaucets so they dont

leak. Avoid runoff andwasteful overspray.8. MULCH Cover bareground around each plantwith a 3-inch layer ofmulch to help conservesoil moisture, suppressweeds, and keep the soilcooler; renew annually.Organic types such asbark chips, shreddedbark, or compost improvethe soil as they breakdown, and encouragebeneficial microbes. (Seepages 2627.)


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Low water,high styleCombine flowering andfoliage plants for a colorful,all-season garden

Water-thrity gardens deliver all thebold orms and colors o traditional land-

scapes, but with minimal resources and a

lot less eort. As with any garden, they

incorporate all the elements necessary or

outdoor living and entertaining: Paths and

patios to give the garden orm and di rec-

tion. Arbors and trellises to help divide the

garden into rooms, and to create shade.

Benches and outdoor urnishings or

comort. But thats where the similarity to

conventional landscapes ends.

The gardens pictured here are designed

to thrive on little more than rainall, but

they oer many other advantages beyond

conserving moisture. Drought-tolerant

plants dont require much, i any, ertilizer,

so they tend to grow at a rate thats easyto manage without constant pruning.

Because they produce less green waste,

they contribute less to landlls. In addi-

tion, many drought-tolerant plants, espe-

cially Western natives, attract birds and

butterfies, which come to dine on insect

pests or to sip nectar.

Its possible to have a garden thats

both water-conserving and beautiul, with

plenty o lush oliage and a generous dose

o seasonal fowers. All o the gardens

pictured are rich tapestries o color and

motion, thanks to their diverse palettes o

careully chosen natives, perennials, orna-

mental grasses, shrubs, or succulents.

Water-wise gardens take a bit more

planning than ordinary landscapes, butover time they oer signicant savings in

labor costsand, o course, w ater.

5 greatwater-wisedetails1. BRIGHT COLORSYellow columbine, redvalerian, and lavendercatmint bloom amid a seaof mown buffalo grass ina New Mexico garden. Acluster of aspen treesprovides light shade forthe columbine.2. FOLIAGE TEXTUREStrong architecturaldetails set the stage forthis Seattle garden filledwith billowy grasses andperennials. Along thegravel path, giant feathergrass (Stipa gigantea) andmaiden grass createclouds of strappy foliagebeside catnip and Span-ish lavender.3. BOLD SHAPES Goldenbarrel cactus appear tomarch along the top of arock wall between fine-textured purple Daleagreggii plants. AnAgaveweberi adds drama behindthem, while blue paloverde and desert iron-wood trees soften thehouse walls.

4. LUSH PLANTINGS In aSan Diego garden, adense border on a slope isfilled with large nativeboulders. From the frontare bright green aeonium,yellow pincushion(Leucospermum), yellowCotula coronopifolia, varie-gatedFurcraea foetida Mediopicta, and a red-flowering ivy geranium.5. TWIST ON TRADITIONA suburban front yard inLong Beach, CA, plantedwith dark green Carexpansa, is watered onlyonce a week in summerand mowed just fourtimes a year.

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Plants forall climatesChoose ornamentals thatthrive in your regionWhile local natives are best suited to

most sites, other good choices includedrought-tolerant plants rom all corners o

the world. Some o the most water-wise

options are native to the Southwest

deserts. Others are rom the ve Mediter-

ranean climate regionsCaliornia, the

Mediterranean basin, South Arica, south-

western Australia, and the central coast o

Chilewhere rains are spare and summers

are warm and dry.

Many o these plants share characteris-

tics that help them survive periods o

intense heat and low rainall. They may

have gray or velvety leaves that refect

heat; succulent leaves, stems, and roots

that store water; or needlelike leaves

whose small surace area limits the poten-

tial or water loss. Or they may go dormantduring the hottest months o the year.

Water-wise plants have dierent

degrees o drought tolerance. Plants that

thrive on 30 inches o rain in the Northwest,

or instance, will wither in a Southwest

garden where the average rainall is 10

inches or less. Do your homework beore

nalizing plant choices, then group plants

into zones by their water needs. Place

thirstier (and oten showier) plants near-

est the house or in other high-visibility

spots, less thirsty plants in the background.

Make sure your irrigation plan supports

each zone independently o the others.

Avoid the mistake o thinking that some

types o plants never need watering. All

plants, native or not, need regular, deepirrigations through the rst year to help

their roots become established. Some need

moisture into the second year, but by then,

many do ne with only an occasional deep

watering. A bit o research and consulting

with your local nursery or cooperative

extension service will help you gure out

how much water your plants need.

7 greatwater-wiseplantings1. LOW SPREADING Cean-othus griseus Kurt Zadnikis a colorful groundcoverthat grows 2 to 3 feet talland 6 feet wide or more.Spring flowers are deepblue.

2. WATER-WISE ANDFIRE-WISE In a SanDiegoarea garden,spaces between bouldersare filled with a deep pinkrose-scented geranium,white nutmeg-scentedgeranium, and purplesweet-pea shrub.3. wildlie magnetConeflower (Echinacea) isa tough perennial withdaisy-like flowers in pink,lavender-purple, yellow,orange, and white. Beesand butterflies love tovisit the beehive-shapedcenters for nectar; finchesvisit later for seeds.4. EASY TO GROW Hornedpoppy (Glaucium flavum)

produces rosettes of crin-kly gray-green leavestopped by orange tobright yellow blooms.5. BRIGHT BERRIES Tall(usually to 10 feet), denseToyon puts on a brightshow in winter, when redberries envelop the shrub.6. BOLD FOLIAGE Cloudsof lime-colored flowerson Euphorbia characiaswulfenii contrast withchocolate-huedAeoniumarboreum Zwartkop tocreate drama in a SanClemente, CA, garden.7. SHAPE AND TEXTUREMediterranean-climateplants fill a garden borderin a rain shadow alongWashingtons PugetSound. They includeAsterMnch andSchizostyliscoccinea Oregon Sunset,framed against GoldSword New Zealand flax.Behind is tall, airy Verbenabonariensis.

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10 Sunset

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Pocket-size herb samplerJust 48 square eet is space enough or a diverse assortment o

scented herbs plus a compatible ragrant rose. Seven o the nine

herbs have culinary uses, making this planting especially appeal-

ing to cooks (particularly i its located near a kitchen door). The

two nonculinary choiceslavender cotton and catmintadd to

the plots beauty with their sot textures and equally sot gray-

green to gray-white lea color. In act, much o this gardens

charm derives rom its varied oliage colors and textures; conspic-

uous fowers appear chiefy on the chives, catmint, lavender

cotton, rosemary, and rose.

Western birdscapeThis small planting design is suited to mi ld-winter areas o Cali-

ornia and the Southwest deserts. Though it lacks trees and a

watering hole, it oers most o the inducements that birds crave:berries, seeds, and shelter. The irresistible lureas legions o

gardeners have come to knowis the yearly crop o rethorn

berries, but the gardens eathered patrons will also east on the

ruits o lantana, heavenly bamboo, cotoneaster, and Elaeagnus.Seed-eaters will appreciate the bounty o coreopsis, blanket

fower, black-eyed Susan, and ountain grass. The shrubs all

aord ample shelter.

Plant listA.Elaeagnusxebbingei;1B.Firethorn (Pyracan-tha coccinea Kasan; 1C.LantanaRadiation; 3+D.Heavenlybamboo (Nandinadomestica); 2E.Willowlea coto-neaster (Cotoneastersalicifolius EmeraldCarpet); 2+

F.Black-e(Rudbeckiavantii Gol

G.Founta(Pennisetusetaceum);H.Blanke(Gaillardiaflora); 5I.CoreopsSunburst

Plant listA.Chives(Alliumschoenoprasum); 3B.French tarragon(Artemisiadracunculus);4C.Catmint(Nepeta xfaassenii); 3D.Sweet marjoram(Origanum majorana,Majorana hortensis); 1E.Oregano(Origanumvulgare); 2

F.Rose (SG.Rosemnus officinaH.Comm(Salvia officIcterina)I.Lavend(Santolina crissus NanJ.Lemon t(Thymus xAureus; 1

Low-waterplanting plansBrighten a garden bed withherbs for your kitchen orberries and flowers for birds

The best plants or low-water gardensnot only enliven the landscape and thrive

on little water once established, they have

other benets as well. Woody perennial

herbs such as rosemary, sage, and

thymeall native to the Mediterranean

regionproduce leaves that can be used

resh or dried to favor meat, soups, and

stews. In beds and borders, they combine

well with blooming perennials such as

blue-fowered catmint and sunny yellow

patio roses.

Unthirsty shrubs and perennials that

pump out fowers, berries, or seeds invite

all kinds o birds to your garden, bringing it

alive with beauty and motion. (Birds also

east on pest insects.)

You can re-create one o the borderspictured at right in your own garden. The

best time to plant is early all, beore rains

come (theyll help irrigate the new trans-

plants or ree). Locate both beds in ull

sun. The bright herb sampler is designed

to t a small (8- by 6 -oot) space. The

birdscape is backed with three billowy

shrubs that need more room to sprawl.

The total number o each plant needed

is indicated ater each plant in the Plant

Lists, ar right.

Planting a

Planting a

a

e

h

c

g

Chives

Common sageCatmint

Fountain grass Firethorn

Blanket lower

Lemon thyme

Black-eyed Susan

Easy Water-Wise Ga

opposite,clockwisefromt

opleft:d

avidcavagnaro,thomasj.story(3),benwoolsey,clairecurran,

normana.plate(2);illustrations,fromt

op:loislovejoy(2),erinotoole(2)

Design


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Design

PermeablesurfacesLet rainfall percolate downto plant rootsPaths and patios that are paved with

gravel, decomposed granite, spaced fag-stones, or porous concrete are the best

choices or water-conserving gardens.

Permeable paving materials add beauty

and structure to the garden and, o course,

require no irrigation themselves. More-

over, they allow rainwater and irrigation to

pass through them and into the soil,

preventing runo that can clog storm

drains and pollute nearby lakes, streams,

and coastal waters.

I youre considering gravel, visit your

local landscape supply yard to experience

the look and eel o dierent types. Gravel

reers to rocks ranging in size rom 1

/8 inch

to 11/2 inches. It comes in two orms:

Manmade crushed rock has sharp, irregu-

lar edges; nature-made river rock (alsoknown as natural pebbles) is rounded.

Think about where it will be used. For

high-trac areas, such as paths and

patios, use manmade crushed rock.

Because the pieces bind together well,

they create a more stable surace or walk-

ing. The most common size is 3/8 inch, an

all-purpose gravel thats also good as a

mulch around plantings. For a soter

surace under bare eet, use 1/4-inch or

ner natural pebbles. For low-trac areas,

river rock is an attractive choice, but the

larger, smoother pieces are less stable

underoot than crushed rock.

You can green up suraces covered with

stone or cobbles by planting mat-orming

groundcovers between the pavers. Goodchoices or this use include creeping thyme

(shown at ar upper right); Dymondia

margaretae, which orms a tight mat o

narrow, gray-green leaves and tiny yellow

fowers in summer; and snow-in-summer

(Cerastium tomentosum), a dense, tuty mat

o silvery gray oliage with small white

fowers in early summer.

7 ways to useporous paving1. golden gravel Inthis Los Angeles garden,a base of warm-toned3/4-inch gravel makes abold visual distinctionfrom surrounding green-ery, including drought-tolerant blue Senecio

mandraliscae.2. shale and paversFractured shale fills gapsbetween concrete paversin a garden in Alamo, CA;yarrow and grassessoften paths edges,3. classic illerDrought-tolerant creep-ing thyme grows 3 inchestall and roots as it spreadsto fill spaces betweenflagstone pavers.4. woodsy path Spacedconcrete stones curvethrough a garden in GigHarbor, WA.5. it or a iresidePaprika yarrow andWalkers Low catmintedge a secluded gravel

seating area in Califor-nias wine country.6. paired materialsEdged with pale flag-stone, a half-inch ofdecomposed granite overa compacted base formsa well-draining surface inthis garden in RanchoMirage, CA. Palo verde,agaves, opuntia cactus,and barrel cactus thrivein the flanking gravelpatches.7. Pocket patioA 7-footcircle of bricks set into abase of compacted sandis easy to move and adaptfor different purposes.

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OPLEFT:ThomasJ.Story,craigd.wood,NormanA.Plate,ThomasJ.Story,darrowm.watt

Efficientwatering 101Learn about your soil,watch your plants, and getthe right tools

When determining how you shouldwater, rst consider your plants. Because

plants with deeper roots are better able to

withstand periods o drought, your goal

should be to apply enough water to wet

the entire root zone and to encourage

deep rooting. Shallow watering leads to

shallow roots and plants that are very

susceptible to drought and fuctuating

temperatures. You should also avoid

applying so much water that it penetrates

deeper than roots actually grow. That

water is wasted.

Watering checklistHydrozoning. Organize your landscape

into hydrozonesgroups o plants with

similar water, soil, and exposure needs. Bydoing so, its possible to apply water very

eciently and allocate more water to

thirsty plants and less to unthirsty ones.

For example, you should separate low-

water users, which thrive on rainall alone

or with minimal supplemental water (such

as native plants, or ones similarly adapted

to drought) rom high-water users (such

as lawns, annual fowers, and vegetable

gardens). As much as possible, maximize

the amount o garden space dedicated to

low-water users.

Observe your plants. Get to know the

signs o moisture stress, such as droopy,

o-colored oliage.

Know your soil. Examine it requently,

making sure it is not too wet or too drybetween waterings. I necessary, add

organic matter to new planting areas to

improve soil texture or to hold moisture

better.

Water deeply, then let the soil partially

dry beore watering again. Irrigate long

enough to wet the entire root zone.

To determine how deep the water is

How to choosethe right hoseA cheap hose prone to kinks and cracgardening a chore. It pays to invest i

n Hoses may be made of rubber or vincombination of the two. The best moporate multiple layers of reinforcing as nylon or rayon. Hose couplings ananother indication of quality. The strcouplings are made of brassthe thbetterand the best swivels are hexeasy gripping. Also look for a protectbelow the coupling; its designed to phose from kinking at the faucet.

n Garden hoses vary in length (25, 50,feet) and diameter (1/2, 5/8, and 3/4 inchose can deliver about a third as muc3/4-inch hose. If you have low water pyou must run your hose uphill, buy th

largest-diameter hose thats practicasituation.

use a hose in furrow1. Basins 3 to 6 inches deep hold wateplants. On level ground, link basins twatering easier.

2. Furrows 3 to 8 inches deep help a hbubbler attachment irrigate straight

Irrigation

penetrating, push a sti metal rod into the

soil ater watering. It will move easily

through wet soil but will stop or be harder

to push when it hits dry soil. Beore water-ing again, let the top ew i nches o soil dry

out, depending on the size o the plant.

Avoid runo. Dont apply water aster

than the soil can absorb it. Direct water to

plant roots by building basins or u rrows o

soil around plants. Use terraces or basins

to avoid runo on slopes. Pulse-irrigate

plants in clay soil or on slopes: Apply

1

12 3

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2

water until puddles appear, stop until the

water is absorbed, then repeat the cycle

until water penetrates to the desired

depth. Use drip or low-volume irrigation(see pages 1821).

Adjust watering schedules with the

weather and seasons. Water less oten in

cool weather, more requently during hot

weather. Irrigate early in the morning,

when winds are calm and evaporation is

low. (See How season aects watering,

page 25.)

1. Portable sprinklersThey feature different spraymethods: oscillating, rotating,impulse, or traveling. Choose aheavy-weight model with apattern that matches theshape of the area to be wateredand that applies water evenlyover the entire area.

2. Soaker hoses Flat hosesperforated on one side orporous ooze types work beston level ground. Run themalong rows of vegetables,flowers, or hedges; spiralaround trees; or use tomoisten beds of seedlings.

3. Hose-end nozzlesNozzles turn water flow into avariety of sprays, from strongjet to gentle mist. Those withlong handles are especiallyhelpful for watering hangingbaskets. (If the nozzle doesntalready have a shutoff valve,you can connect one betweenit and the hose.)

manual watering devicesHand watering can be very efficient: You can pinpoint individual plants and vary watering times basedon plant needs and weather. The right devices make it easier.


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Efficientwatering:with sprinklersA good choice for overheadirrigation of a large areaFor large lawns and some vegetableand fower beds, underground sprinkler

systems are a good option. To operate

properly, they need high pressure (40 psi

or more at the water source). You may

want to hire a proessional to plan and

install the system, which entails much

physical labor. However, sprinkler manu-

acturers provide good instructions,

and many people decide to do the job

themselves.

Design your systemTo design an underground irrigation

system, ollow these steps:

Make a scale drawing o your property.

Include new or existing landscaping, hard-scaping like paths and patios, and any

existing underground utilities. Divide your

property into hydrozones.

Visit an irrigation supplier. Take time

to amiliarize yoursel with components

listed and shown in the photograph on the

acing page. Pay attention to sprinkler

output rates and nozzle spray patterns.

Sketch your systemStores or nurseries that specialize in irriga-

tion supplies can help you plan and draw

an irrigation system, or you may preer to

have a proessional do the design. Regard-

less, it makes sense to be involved with

the design process. Here are some basictips when planning a system.

Limit heads. Use as ew sprinklers as

possible to achieve head-to-head cover-

age: Spray rom one sprinkler should reach

the head o the next sprinkler. For ull

coverage, each area should be covered by

three sprinklers.

VaarnoA schasprof aarcthesega ci

Nozzle

Cuto riser

Pop-up sprinkler

PVC slip by thread T

Control valve andbacklow preventer

Hose bibb

Systeshutovalve

PVC pipe

Sprinklerhead

PVC slip bthread elb

Swing joint

Schedule 80 riser

Isolate sprays. Position sprinklers to

prevent overspray into neighboring

hydrozones or paved areas.

Simpliy the course. Plot layouto under-

ground pipes with ewest turns.

Group by valve. Plot circuitsa group o

sprinklers controlled by the same valve

to correspond to the hydrozones. Every-

thing on one circuit (valve) will be watered

at the same time. Your water pressure andfow rate will determine how many sprin-

klers you can have on each circuit. Each

circuit should comprise the same type o

sprinklers: spray or rotor. Dont mix the two.

Maintain yoursprinkler systemTo make sure your system operates e-

ciently, oten watch it run to check or

signs o leaks, malunctions, or poor

perormance. Adjust sprinklers when

necessary, and unclog heads with a knie

or piece o wire. Replace broken sprinklers

or risers. Water-lled valve boxes or leak-

ing sprinklers may be a sign that valves

need to be repaired or replaced. Wet spots

and a constantly running water meter areother signs o problems. In reezing

climates, install a drain valve at the

lowest point in each circuit. Beore winter

reeze, drain the system through the drain

valve, and hire a proessional to blow

compressed air through the system to

clear remaining water.

Spray overlap

Sprinkler

Irrigation

Use the right componentsControl valves These include backflow (anti-siphon) devices to prevent water from flowinginto the home water supply.Tip:Valves are usually grouped together so theycan easily be wired to electronic controllers.Pipes These are made of rigid, white polyvinylchloride (PVC). To glue or thread sections of pipe

together, youll need fittings that come in variousconfigurations (including T and elbow) and types(slip and threaded).Risers These vertical pieces of pipe connectsprinklers to underground pipes. They may be12 to 18 inches tall to clear shrubs, 6 inches or lessfor lawn sprinklers.Tip:You can buy adjustable polyethylene risersat the desired height, as well as cutoff types thatallow a choice of heights. (A swing joint makes iteasy to adjust the height and angle of sprinklerheads.)Sprinkler heads There are two basic catego-ries: spray and rotary (rotors). Spray heads emit afixed spray, whereas rotorsboth gear-drivenand impact typesmove as they shoot out singleor multiple streams of water. Spray heads aregenerally for smaller areas, throwing water inabout a 15-foot radius. Rotors cover up to about a45-foot radius but need more pressure to operate.Because they apply water at a slower rate than

spray heads, rotors must run for longer periodsto wet an area, but they are less likely to causerunoff.Tip: Both spray heads and rotors are available instationary sprinklers and pop-ups.

SprinklercoverageThis illustrationshows how toposition sprin-klers to ensure

even coverage.Sprinkler headsin the cornerscast water in anarc, while thecenter headwaters in acircle. Dark tintindicates wateroverlap.

NozzlespraypatternsFor propercoverage,

typically youmust set somenozzles todifferent arcsthan others.

360270

240180

12090

Nozzles These determine a sprinklepattern of spray, radius of throw, andof water delivered. Choose the patteto fit the shape of the area. Most sprhave nozzles that emit water propora 90 nozzle delivers a quarter of thefull-circle nozzle delivers. Variable-a(pictured below) can be adjusted fro

of spray; nozzles are also available foand irregular shapes. All rotors have arcs, although how you make the adjvaries by model and manufacturer.Tip: Easy-to-change nozzles adjust arates between heads with different a

elements of asprinkler system


10/16

18 Sunset Easy Water-Wise Gar

needs. Programs allow you to set when

the system comes on (say, Tuesdays and

Fridays at 6 a.m.) and how long it runs (run

time). Multiple start times allow the water

to be delivered in shorter spurts. For

example, the controller can water the

lawn or 10 minutes, turn o the water or

an hour, then water or another 10minutes. This pulse-irrigating translates

into very little waste due to runo. Water

budgeting eatures allow you to step up or

step down the run time with the seasons

or weather.

But its important to get used to repro-

gramming the controller to suit plants

changing water needs. Adjust your irriga-

Efficientwatering:a drip systemThe wise choice for focused,localized irrigationWhile underground rigid-pipesprinkler systems use high water pressure

and volume to dispense water over a large

area, drip or low-volume irrigation delivers

water at low pressure and volume (in

gallons per hour) to specic areas, oten

just to individual plants. Penetration o

water is slow, its depth regulated by the

length o time the system is on.

The result is well-watered plants,

using less water than with sprinklers. Drip

emitters, which release water directly to

the soil, waste virtually no water; even

minisprayers and minisprinklers, which

spray water into the air, deliver less water

than ordinary sprinklers do. Emitters and

minisprinklers are available in manydierent styles, varying primarily in

output (gallons per hour) or, in the case o

minisprinklers, in the size and shape o

watering pattern.

A drip-irrigation system can be

connected to your main water line or oper-

ated rom a hose bibb or the end o a hose.

It is possible to convert an existing rigid

pipe system to a drip system (see page 20).

State-of-the-artirrigation systemsIrrigation technology is evolving rapidly,

making watering easier and more ecient.

I you consider yoursel technically adept,

you might want to include some o thelatest products in your system. Most need

to be monitored very careully to operate

properly, so there is a commitment

involved, but they can be very useul.

Rain sensors. Theyre hooked into auto-

matic controllers to override irrigation

when signicant rainall occurs.

Subsurace irrigation. Using in-line drip

emitters enclosed in black polyethylene

tubing (also called emitter line) is an

alternative way to water lawns. The

tubing is buried 4 to 8 inches below the

tur and usually spaced 12 to 18 inches

apart, depending on the soil type. Within

the tubing there are individual emittersspaced every 12 to 18 inches. One manuac-

turer inuses emitters with an herbicide to

prevent grass roots rom growing into and

clogging the openings.

To nd out more about moisture

sensors and subsurace irrigation, consult

suppliers that specialize in irrigation

equipment.

Irrigation controller: Bestfriend or worst enemy?When connected to a well-designed irriga-

tion system, a properly set automatic

controller can reduce waste and do a

better job o watering than most garden-

ers can. But controllers are only as good as

the people who use them. Many home-owners dont know how (or have orgotten

how) to set them properly or dont make

adjustments with the seasons. I that

sounds amiliar, spend some time reac-

quainting yoursel with your controller.

Multiple-program controllers provide

the most ecient way to irrigate dierent

areas o the garden with diering water FROML

EFT:StevenA.gunther,Thoma

sJ.Story

Control valve

FilterPressureregulator

PVC pipe

1/2-inchpolyethylenetubing

Emitter

Pop-upmicrospray

Automaticcontroller

End cap

Hose bibb

Systemshutovalve

Irrigation

Use the right compoControl valve that runs each zonethe systemBacklow preventer (antisiphon

each zone (may be part of the controPressure regulator to reduce preincoming water so setup wont blow Filter to remove dirt particles from PVC pipes to transport water to yourareasPolyethylene tubing (1/2 inch) anding (1/4 inch) to deliver water from theemittersFittings (compression, barbed, andto connect the components) and endEmitters, minisprinklers, and oto apply water to plantsFlush valve to aid in cleaning dirt osystem (in areas with dirty water) or water out of the system (in climates wtemperatures)

This landscape in

Encinitas, CA, thriveson rainall in winter andspring; an all-dripsystem takes over insummer. Low-waterplants includeAloearborescens(withorange spires),

Aeonium arboreum(with yellow cones),and purple statice.

tion schedule at least monthly to refect

changes in weather and day length. For

example, a lawn that requires watering 4

days per week in July will generally need

watering only 3 days per week in Septem-

ber and 1 or 2 days per week in October.

Doing it yourselfSome homeowners preer to install small

drip systems by themselves. For detailed

instructions, consult the inormation

provided by suppliers. I you install a

system yoursel, youll need to create a

scale drawing o your yard to calculate

equipment needs. For an extensive

system, its best to hire a proessional.

elements of adrip system


11/16


Above:craigd.wood;Illustrationa

tright:Nikschulz

The right emitter depends on yourplants and soil typeThe heavier the soil, the slower it absorbs water.So for heavier soils, you should irri gate with lowergallon-per-hour (gph) emitters. Then run thesystem longer to supply enough water to plants.

PLANTS SOIL WHICH EMITTER AND WHERE

Low shrubs SandyLoamClay

One 2-gph; next to plantOne 1-gph; next to plant

One 1/2-gph; next to plant

Mediumto largeshrubs

SandyLoamClay

Two or three 2-gph; evenly around plantTwo or three 1-gph; evenly around plantTwo or three 1/2-gph; evenly around plant

Small trees(6- to 8-footcanopy)

Sandy

LoamClay

Three to six 1-gph or two or three2-gph; on J-loop or two lines onopposite sidesTwo or three 1-gph; installed as aboveTwo or three 1/2-gph; installed as above

Larger trees(10- to 15-footcanopy)

Sandy

LoamClay

Four or five 2-gph; on J-loop or two lineson opposite sidesFour or five 1-gph; installed as aboveFour or five 1/2-gph; installed as above

Ground-covers,spaced at least2 feet apart

Sandy orloamClay

One 1-gph; at rootball

One 1/2-gph; at rootball

Ground-covers,closely spaced

Any soil O verlap pi ng mi ni sp ra ys or min ispr in kler s(or follow drip guidelines below for Beds offlowers or vegetables)

Beds olowers orvegetables

SandyLoamClay

Several 2-gph; about a foot apart in a rowSeveral 1-gph; about 11/2 feet apart in a rowSeveral 1/2 -gph; about 11/2 feet apart in a row

Containers Potting soil One or more 1/2- or 1-gph

How deepShading shows vertical wettingpattern; notice how much deeper

water goes in sandy soil than in clay.

How wideHorizontal coverage is also impor-tant; below we list the area covered

by drip emitters.

EMITTERFLOW RATE

1/2 gph

1 gph

2 gph

SandySoil

1 sq. t.

5 sq. t.

11 sq. t.

LOAMSOIL

5 sq. t.

11 sq. t.

18 sq. t.

CLAYSOIL

11 sq. t.

18 sq. t.

31 sq. t.

Sandy Loam Clay

Beginning o the seasonn Open the end caps or fush valve.n Clean lters.n Run water through system to clear;

replace end caps.n Ater the rst couple o uses in spring,

make sure wetting pattern is as expected.

I emitter isnt working, clean or replace it.n Inspect lines or leaks.n Adjust automatic controller i necessary.

Peak seasonn Check or evidence o leaks, such as

puddles or eroded soil, and secure loose

tubing.

n Replace or clean clogged emitters and

minisprinklers.n Move emitters arther rom plants base

as the plant grows; add emitters.n Clean the lter as needed.n Adjust timer with the changing seasons.

Wintern In cold-winter areas, remove end caps

and caps on lters and drain lines.n In reezing weather, shut o pressurized

water, bring battery-operated timersindoors, drain valve assemblies (antisiphon

control valve, lter, and pressure regulator),

and open end caps.

Punchingdrip holes

Irrigation

Troubleshyour drip sThe problem: Olooks thirsty.The solution:zone and, if soil to see if the emitclogged. If emittthere are extensthere probably aemitters aroundThe problem: Pline look thirsty.

The solution:break in the line last healthy planthirsty one.The problem: Pvalve look thirstThe solution:are working, youunderwatering.The problem: Alook thirsty.The solution:controller and thrain shutoff buttif necessary. If thcheck moisture aIf soil is dry, lookin main water linvalves. If systemrepair, increase wtime.The problem: Pyellowish; soil isThe solution:overwatering; reing time on valveThe problem: Wpuddles on the sThe solution:have clay soil; chters to a lower gthe system for a and repeat cycle

Punching pointersWhen making holes in drip tubing or

emitters and barbed ttings, use a punch

designed or that purpose. Be sure the

tubing is straighti it is twisted, the

emitter could end up on the top, causing

water to run along the tubing instead o

dripping down onto the soil. The hole

should be positioned so that the emitter

will drip to the side or downward. Hold

the punch at a right angle to the tubing to

ensure a round hole that will seal tightly

against the emitters barb. You may nd

the piercing process easier i you slowly

twist the punch as you push it into the

tubing. On some punches, the tip may

become clogged with extracted tubing;clear it out beore punching again.

Convert your sprinklersto dripI some circuits o your conventional sprin-

kler system are watering plants that could

be more eciently irrigated with drip, you

can retrot your system by making use o

the existing underground pipes.

The various conversion systems call

or removing all the conventional sprin-

klers on a circuit, connecting drip compo-

nents at one or more risers, and capping

all risers that arent used. In most cases,

you must add a lter and pressure regula-

tor to the line.

Maintain your drip systemAs your garden matures, youll need to

install new emitters and increase the

number o emitters watering your plants.

Youll also need to check your system

occasionally to look or clogged emitters

or broken lines. Heres a season-by-season

guide to drip-system mai ntenance.

Using a timed drip-irrigationsystem to water containersensures your garden-in-potsgets the water it needswith-out wasteeven if youreneglectful or on the go.

You can choose a prepack-aged kit; many are easy to puttogether. Get one that includesa timer, a filter, a pressureregulator, and an antisiphondevice (also called a backflowpreventer or vacuum breaker),which keeps irrigation waterfrom being drawn back intothe public water system and is

required by many localities.If your kit doesnt have thesecomponents, purchase themseparately. Different manufac-turers components usuallyarent interchangeable, so if

you think you may need extraparts, its best to buy from avendor that sells individualdrip-irrigation pieces.

Position containers whereyou want them before youlay any tubing (and measurecarefully since its hard toremove fittings once theyreconnected). On a timed

system, the plants should havesimilar water needs; try to usecontainers in the same sizerange. After you set up, turnyour system on and monitor itfor a couple of cycles to make

sure everything works prop-erly. Look for leaks and assessflow, adjusting as necessary.SOURCES DripWorks(dripworksusa.com) and Raindrip (raindrip.com) sell kits; the UrbanFarmer Store (urbanfarmerstore.com) sells separatecomponents and offers advicefor customized systems.

Drip kits for potsA hassle-free way to water container plants automatically

Emitter

Hose bibb

Stake

Timer

Anti-siphondevice

Pressureregulatorand ilter

Main line End clampConnector

Emitter

Branchline


12/16


The rightwateringsystemWhich irrigation systemis best for you?Lawn (A)n Hose-end sprinklers can work well or a

small lawn.n Underground sprinklers attached to a

controller will water a large or small area

more precisely.

Annuals and perennials (b)n Overhead watering may cause fowers to

droop or spotting on petals; certain

species are more subject to disease i not

careully watered.n Underground sprinklers with pop-up

risers work in extensive fower beds. Risers

should be tall enough that oliage doesnt

block spray.

n Choose drip-emitter lines or beds withclosely spaced plants, individual emitters

or widely spaced plants.

Vegetables(C)n Hand-water with basins and urrows.n Use soaker hoses on fat ground.n Install a low-volume system with emitter

line or closely spaced plants, individual

emitters or widely spaced vegetables.n Position plants with similar watering

needs. Bigger plants need deeper irriga-

tion than small plants or seedlings do.

Plants that are fowering or setting ruit

need more water.

Groundcovers(D)n Use underground sprinklers; select

stationary heads or plantings more than a

oot tall and low-precipitation-rate heads

or groundcovers on a slope.n Drip emitters are suitable or shrubby

groundcovers.n Drip minisprays work well or mass plant-

ings o small groundcovers.

Roses (E)n Soaker hoses work well on level ground.n Underground sprinklers with fat-head

sprayers run early in the day keep leaves

dry, helping to prevent disease.n Drip irrigation with emitter line works

well with closely spaced bushes. Or use

individual emitters or each bush.

Trees and shrubs (F)n Use soil basins to direct water to roots

and avoid runo (see page 15).n Soaker hoses work or occasional deep-

watering o established trees.n Low-volume systems with emitters or

microsprinklers are most ecient, espe-cially on sloping ground.

Natives and drought-adaptedplants (G)n Use ooze-type soaker hoses at low

pressure.n Use low-fow drip with a manual shuto

valve.n Natives and drought-adapted plants

need little to no water ater they are

established.

Container plants (H)n Hand-water gently with a nozzle.n Submerge pots or a hal-hour in tubs o

water to saturate soil.

n Use drip or pots. Water small pots twoto ve minutes several times a day. Big

pots require more water per application

but less requently (see page 21).

Clockwisefromt

opright:SandraLeeReha,ThomasJ.Story,NormanA.Plate,JimM

cCausland,

normana.plate,ThomasJ.Story,No

rmanA.Plate(4)

A

DB

F

B E G

C F H

Irrigation

Choose theprofessionHiring a professinstall an irrigatlike hiring any otcontractor.

nGet several quo

nAsk for client reand contact themsure they were hthe work.

nAsk to see a con

license, certificaance, and proof special irrigation

nMake sure you features you wawhich brands anirrigation equipmcially sprinklers will be used and

nAsk about planhydrozone and hsystem will needchanged or updaings mature.

n If your landscanative plants, mcontractor has edesigning systemthe plants spec

nDiscuss the ma

of irrigation andwhether the potinstaller knows usystems. Here aquestions to ask

What are theklers for the lawsprinkler heads aof 4- to 6-inch pothey be properlyhead-to-head co

Will the systebuilt-in check vapressure-regula

Can the irrigabe tailored for thplantings (hydroyard? What is thwater each zone


13/16


How seasoaffects watPlants use more hot, dry weatherto irrigate more than in spring orwinter in many adont need to waAlso, wind dries faster than still arequire more wawindy weather. Dalso influences wrequirements. Fruntil June 21 (sumsolstice) days growhile from late JDecember 21 (winsolstice), they grThats why in Jul

week of longer, 8your landscape wmore water thanweek of 80 daysber.

As obvious asounds, gardeneforget to adjust acontrollers accorweather and seaGardeners shoulin cool weather, tklers off altogethor during rainy spincrease waterinwindy or hot.

The illustratishows the maximwater needs of soNorthern Califorsprinkler run timminutes column

an application rainches per hour sover a week. It pand dwindles to midwinter.

10

20

30

40

50

Minutes

LawnsStill rmly rooted in backyards across the

West, lawns are responsible or as much

as hal o outdoor residential water use,

and studies show that most are signi-

cantly overwatered.

Mow higher. Set your mower at 2 to 212

inches or bluegrass, 2 to 3 inches or tall

escue, and 1 inch or warm-season

grasses such as Bermuda and zoysia.

Check evapotranspiration (ET) guidelines

with your water department. Many lawnscan stay partially green at even hal o the

recommended rates. Adjust watering

times according to the seasons.

Know your sprinkler system. To nd out

how much water your sprinklers apply,

place ve straight-sided cans or cups

(more cups will give a better reading)

randomly on your lawn. Run the sprinklers

Its natural towant a lawn i yourhousehold includesactive kids. But

choose the rightgrass and keep thelawn small andwell managed tominimize water use.

froml

eft:NormanA.Plate,StevenA

.Gunther

How to managethirsty plantsAnnuals, vegetables, roses,and lawns usually need a lotof watering. Here are ways

to save water but also havea better-looking lawn andhealthier plants

AnnualsUse less-thirsty types. Arican daisies,

Caliornia poppies, celosia, creeping

zinnia, cosmos, dwar morning glories,

gaillardia, marigolds, nicotiana, petunias,

portulaca, salvia, snow-on-the-mountain,

verbena, and vinca can all get by on less

water than most other annuals can.

Plant only or visual impact. Limit plant-

ings to areas where theyll be seen up

close, such as near entryways or around

patios and decks.

Start with small plants, or sow seeds.These will develop more extensive root

systems than larger plants, using less

water over the long haul.

Plant in part shade. Particularly in

inland areas, provide shade rom hot

late-aternoon sun.

Work the seasons. Plant when the weather

is ideal or quick establishment (in most

cases, all is the ideal time to plant). For

planting times, see theSunset Western

Garden Book.

Group plants close enough that mature

plants will completely shade the soil.

VegetablesWhenever possible, start plants rom

seed. These plants usually develop stron-ger and deeper roots.

Buy small transplants. Avoid seedlings

that are obviously rootbound.

Try heirloom varieties. These include

Anasazi beans, which are well adapted to

hot, dry climates.

Time planting to let vegetables get well

established beore warm weather. For

Irrigation

or 15 minutes, then measure the water in

each cup. For example, i1/4 inch o water

collects in 15 minutes, your sprinklers

deliver 1 inch an hour. I necessary, make

adjustments. Also watch sprinklers run,

and x leaks, clogs, obstructions, and

broken heads.

Cut back on ertilizer. Too much nitrogen

encourages water-thirsty new growth.

Water or short intervals. This way, the soil

can absorb the moisture without wasteul

runo.Switch to low-volume sprinklers. These

apply water at a rate slow enough or the

soil to absorb.

Increase water penetration. Use a power

aerator (available in rental yards); this also

reduces thatch and runo.

Reduce irrigation in shady areas. Stretch

the time between irrigations.

During drought or water shortages, let the

lawn go dry. Many lawn grasses, including

Bermuda, tall escue, and zoysia, will

green up when they can be watered again.

Otherwise, you can always replant.

Replace dicult-to-water narrow strips o

lawn or grass growing on slopes with less

thirsty groundcovers. Choices include

Coprosma kirkii (Sunset climate zones 1417,

2124); dwar coyote brush (Baccharis

pilularis, zones 79, 11, 1424); star jasmine

(Trachelo spermum jasminoides, zones 89,11, 1324); and trailing Arican daisy (Osteo-

spermum ruticosum, zones 89, 1324).

Switch to drought-tolerant grass, such as

tall escue or hybrid Bermuda. Or better

yet, plant a locally native, low-water

grass. Choices vary by region, but might

include Pacic hair grass, creeping red

escue, or bualo grass.

planting times, check the Sunset Western

Garden Book.

Plant in urrows. Dig urrows 6 to 8 inches

deep, then sow or plant in the bottom o

the trench, not on the sides or top o the

urrow.

Build basins around vegetables that need

wide spacingsquash, melons, andtomatoes.

Plant tomato seedlings deep. Leave just

the top two leaves exposed; plants will

develop better root systems.

Plant close together. Space plants so the

oliage will eventually touch; this will

shade the soil and discourage weeds.

Plant early-ripening varieties. They will

need ewer irrigations.

RosesPlant bare-root. Winter planting gives

bare-root roses plenty o time to get

established beore hot weather.

Cut back on watering ater spring bloom.

Many established rosesespecially oldshrub and species kindscan get by on

surprisingly little water.

Mulch heavily. Use at least 3 inches o

organic matter; replenish oten.

Remove suckers. Wait until next winter to

do other pruning.

Dont deadhead. Let hips develop to

suppress growth.


14/16


FromL

eft:RobD.Brodman,E.Spence

rtoy

Mulch: more than a pretty faceSix of our favorites, plus the basics you need to know

StrawLight, loose option letswater pass through easily;good around vegetableand strawberry beds. Buyat livestock-eed stores.

Dont use hay, which hasseed heads that maygerminate into weeds.Apply 45 inches.

Decomposed

granite (DG)Compacts quickly anddoesnt tend to blowaway. Especially attractivein Southwestern anddesert landscapes, but canbe prone to weeds. Apply12 inches.

TumbledglassPricey ($3$7 a pound ormore), so used mainly to

add color and punch tosmall areas.

Cut barkMade rom dierent typeso wood based on whereyou live; a good all-purpose choice. The minisize shown here giveslandscapes a polishedlook. Apply small size 23inches; larger, 45 inches.

ShreddedbarkSlow to decompose, witha more woodsy, naturallook than cut bark.Irregular bits andshredded pieces knittogether so it stays inplace. Useul on slopesand in windy areas. Apply2 inches.

HazelnuthullsGood or general use andideal or paths becausehulls let water througheasily and dont stick toshoes. Most readilyavailable in and aroundOregons Willamette

Valley. Apply 23 inches.

Add mulch andsave waterQ&A: the basicsNo matter what condition your garden is

in, adding a layer o mulch will give it a

clean, reshly planted look. But the bene-ts o mulch are not just cosmetic. Mulch-

ing is one o the best ways to maintain soil

moisture (and to save on your water bill),

insulate roots rom both heat and cold,

and minimize the need to weed.

Depending on your garden situation,

many materials can make great mulches.

At let is a sampling o our avorites, which

are widely available in bags or in bulk rom

nurseries and landscape supply centers.

Heres what you need to know to get

started.

Q: What exactly is mulch?

A: Generally speaking, mulch is any mate-

rial that protects soil surace and allows

air and water through. Mulch is u seul

over an area o bare soil and aroundplanted areas. Organic mulches (derived

rom plant material) add nutrients over

time and enrich overall soil composition,

so theyre hard to beat. Compost, aged

manure, raked leaves, pine needles, and

thin layers o lawn clippings (as long as

theyre herbicide- and pesticide-ree) all

work or various situations. You can also

opt or an inorganic mulch such as gravel,

granite, or stone.

Q: Will manure burn my plants?

A: It can burn the roots o your plants i its

not well composted, so look or bag labels

that specically say well-composted

manure. Be sure to ask your supplier i

you are purchasing in bulk.

Q: How much should I buy?A: Determine the square ootage you want

to cover and use the ollowing as a gui de:

A 2-cubic-oot bag covers an area o 8

square eet to 3 inches deep; 1 cubic yard o

mulch covers an area o 108 square eet to

3 inches deep.

Q: How thickly should I apply the mulch?

A: In general, the denser the mulch parti-

cles, the less you need.Q: Any application tips?

A: Spread mulch to the appropriate thick-

ness, taking care to keep it a ew inches

away rom tree trunks and the crowns and

stems o plants. I placed too closely,

mulch can retain moisture and cause

plants and trees to rot.

Q: How can I keep my mulch clean?

A: Inevitably, leaves and other debris will

all on your mulch. You can remove litter

with a small hand rake. Some people use

blowers, but lighter mulches may blow

away along with unwanted material.

Q: When should I mulch?

A: At least once a year in early spring

beore weeds sprout. You can also add a

second layer as a top dressing in late all.Q: When do I remove it?

A: You can leave mulch in place inde-

nitely. Just scrape it aside i you want to

plant in a mulched area.

Q: Whats the best way to mulch container

plants?

A: Use the same depth and application

technique as or mulching on the ground.

Savings

How a water metercan track water useYour water meter can tell you how muare using during a given time period, ayou monitor the amount of water you and outdoors on a daily basis. It can afigure out how much water each appliand whether theres a leak inside or ohouse. But first youll need to learn tometer.

How to read your water mMost water meters are located in in-gconcrete boxes toward the street curexpose the gauge, remove the cover athe meters cap.

Straight reading meters (the simplcommon type) can tell you how muchyoure using in a given period. Simplyfigures shown on one day and then aweek later, and subtract the original the new reading. To convert cubic feemultiply by 7.48. Using the same protest the amount of water used to tak

irrigate your garden. Turn off all wateoutside the house, read the meter, thklers; take a new reading.

Many new water meters, includingpictured, come with a leak detectortriangle in the center of the meter thawhen any amount of water is used. Ifrotates even when all the water is turtheres a leak somewhere.

If your meter is of a different style fmentioned here, call your water agenreading it.

How your meter can help ycheck for leaksTo check for leaks, turn off all water f(including your ice maker). If your mehave a leak detector, it will have a swRecord the meter reading or mark thposition with a pencil or piece of tapewater off. Wait at least 15 to 30 minut

leaks have a cycle).Reread the meter gauge to determ

water has been used. If a leak is deteculprits are toilets and irrigation syst


15/16


ClockwisefromF

arleft:CamilleNo

rdgren(2),Robd.Brodman,JimM

cCausland(2)

Plant a rain gardenWhen rain alls in Seattle, homeowner Lyn

Dillman smiles: Water that used to run

down the street now pools in a thickly

planted inltration basin at the gardens

edge, where it percolates into the ground-

water below. Its a win-win situation,

THE WATER SPILLSFROM THE PIPE

INTO A PLANTEDINFILTRATION

BASIN.

THE PIPERUNS THE

LENGTHOF THE

CHANNELAND UNDER

A PERME-ABLE PATH.

Savings

INTO A PLASTICCATCH BASIN AT

THE BASE, HIDDENBENEATH RIVER

ROCKS.

FIRST, ACOPPER

RAINCHAIN

CHANNELSRAINWATERFROM THEROOF

THE WATER MOVESTHROUGH A

hidden 4-INCH-WIDE FLEXIBLE

PLASTIC PIPE.

Storing up ona rainy dayFour ways to harvest andstore precious rainwater

says landscape designer Malissa Gatton.

The garden helps reduce this households

environmental ootprint. Anybody could

do it.

I you have soil that drains well, a rain

garden is a satisying way to take advan-

tage o a ree natural resource. Channel

rainwater rom the roo into a shallowly

buried pipe that empties into an inltra-

tion basin or swale at least 10 eet away

rom your house, where it can replenish

groundwater. Grow water-tolerant plants

such as shrub willows in the basin.

DESIGNMalissa Gatton (inharmony.com)

INSTALL A RAIN BARRELRain barrels typically hold about 50 to 60 gallons eachenough to

irrigate houseplants or pots on the deck. The best type is made orecycled ood-grade plastic (or use a recycled wine barrel like the one

pictured), with an intake line, spigot, overfow attachment, screen

cover to keep out leaves, a nd removable solid cover. Position the

barrel beneath a downspout; to keep the rainwater pure, remove the

solid cover an hour or two ater rainall has washed pollen and other

pollutants o the roo. Rain barrels cost about $100 to $150 each.

ADD A CISTERNAn inch o rain puts about 600 gallons

o water atop a 1,000-square-oot

house. Rain gutters capture it; rom a

downspout, you can direct it into a

cistern to help water your garden. At

Islandwood Environmental Learning

Center on Bainbridge Island, Washing-

ton, three steel cisterns store rainwaterrom a nearby roo. By the time vegeta-

bles start growing in spring, the tanks

are ull and the water travels through a

gravity-ed drip system to irrigate crops.

INFO Pictured cisterns are rom Texas

Metal Cisterns ($380 or 200-gallon size

to $1,070 or 1,200-gallon size; texas

metalcisterns.net).

Hang a rain chainRain chains replace downspouts.

The 81/2-oot chain pictured

spills into a 16-inch-diameter

bowl (it attaches to the bowl so

it wont whip in the wind). Thewater then overfows slowly

into a rock-covered catch basin.

INFO Copper Bells rain chain

($169) and hammered-copper

dish($45; rainchains.com)


16/16


N

S

E

W

AnnieBissett

Putting it alltogetherEleven elements of a water-conserving landscapeWhen winter rains come, it may be tempt-

ing to dream o planting large lawns andlush fower beds. Yet many regions o the

West receive less than 10 inches o rai n per

year, and periods o drought are part o the

Wests natural cycle. Keeping the big

picture in mind can help you make smart

landscaping decisions. Any o the land-

scape eatures described here can result in

substantial water savings.

Savings

PERMEABLE DRIVEWAYUse decomposed granite or paverswith spaces between; this allowsrainwater to pass into the soil, rather

than running o down the street

DROUGHT-TOLERANTGROUNDCOVERFor areas that dont get oot traic,choose unthirsty groundcovers suchas Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, CarmelCreeper ceanothus, low-growing

junipers, or creeping thyme

RAIN-HARVESTINGSYSTEMChannel rainwater rom your homesdownspout into a subsuracecatchment basin where it canreplenish the groundwater

PLANTS GROUPED BYWATER NEEDSPlace thirstier plants together anddrought-resistant plants elsewhere.Then put plants that need regular

water on separate irrigation systemsand schedules

how to fightdroughtWhen drought comes, and with it the possibilityof local bans on lawn watering or punishinghikes in water bills, what can you do? Its toolate at that point to install a water-conservinglandscape, since even drought-tolerant plantsneed water to get established. But you can takesteps to save the plants you have.

Save established trees and shrubs irst Theseare costly to replace and have the greatestimpact on your landscape. (A lawn can bereplaced in an afternoon from sod, but a70-foot-tall redwood can take 20 years or moreto replace.) Landscape trees such as ash, birch,poplar (riparian trees that in nature grow nearwater), alder, coast redwood, magnolia, andJapanese maple are often the first plants toshow signs of drought stress. Weakened treeslike Monterey pine may not die directly fromdrought but invite borers, which can finish them.

Give the trees a deep irrigation in late springand theyll be far better equipped to withstanddrought. The roots of various plants grow todifferent depths; the trick is to apply justenough water to moisten the roots withoutgoing beyond. Most tree roots are located inthe top 2 feet of soil. The drip line of a tree orshrub runs around the perimeter of the canopyand virtually outlines the root zone on theground below. Once you identify the root zone,focus your resources on that area. To increasewater penetration before watering, drill 1-inchholes 1 to 2 feet deep every few feet around thedrip line and fill them with organic mulch, oruse a spade or pitchfork to rough up the soilsurface. If the soil is dry at a depth of 10 to 12inches (check it with a sampling tube), moistenthe soil 18 to 24 inches deep.

Coil soaker hoses around the tree at the dripline and halfway between the drip line and thetrunk; apply mulch over the root area, thenallow hoses to run slowly ov ernight. For mostbig trees, youll need about 10 gallons of waterper inch of trunk diameter; riparian trees needtwice that amount.

Reduce lawn watering To stay green allsummer, lawns need 1 to 2 inches of water perweek. Turn on the sprinklers for about 10 minutesonce a week, turn them off to let moisture soakin, then turn them on again for another few

minutes. Or cut back to 1 inch of water everytwo weeks; under this regimen, lawns turnstraw-colored and go semidormant but bounceback quickly after weather cools in fall. Also,mow high and keep the mower blades sharp.Dont overfertilize; too much nitrogen encour-ages the production of thirsty new growth.

Water landscape plants near lawgrowing in or near a well-watereddependent on that irrigation. If lais abruptly cut off, those plants wneed supplemental water.

Monitor shallow-rooted shrubs Orhododendrons, and young camelwilting or drooping of new growtharound them (make sure water wagainst the trunks), and give them

in April with clear water (soapy wrhododendrons, can cause leaf bu

Mulch It bears repeating: A layer helps keep moisture in the soil (seThe best mulches (bark chips, for dont compact easily, but allow suand water to reach plant roots.

Irrigate ruit trees Most stone-frsurvive some drought, although tsmaller fruits, and fewer flower buBut theyll be better off with a deeApril and again in June. (Citrus mational deep watering in summer; wing, yellowing, or curling leaves.)

Apply water slowly and deeplyline with soaker hoses as describetrees; or make a basin 4 to 6 incheeach tree, extend it to the drip linebeyond if you can spare more wata hose to fill the basin slowly.

Cover swimming pools A good pr

when water use is unrestricted, counused swimming pool during timis especially important. A pool cov90 percent of water evaporation wallowing for times when the pool Many styles and materials are avaing translucent air-cell plastic typswimming-pool supply stores. To dents, entirely remove any cover bing into the water.

LOW-WATER TURFI you must have a patch o lawn,keep it small and choose a nativegrass thats appropriate or yourregion. Examples: Blue grama,bualo grass (desert areas),Creeping red escue, Paciic hair grass(Deschampsia cespitosa holciformis)

TOUGH SHRUBSFill borders or spaces along ences withundemanding, low-water beauties suchas chuparosa, lavender, rosemary, orsmoke bush (Cotinus coggygria)

SHADE TREES ON THEWEST SIDE OF THE HOUSEChoose deciduous types that shadeand cool the house during summer,then drop their leaves to allow insunlight during winter. Unthirstychoices or mild climates includeChinese pistache and honey locust

IRRIGATIONCONTROLLERInstall an automatic controller toschedule irrigation times. Resetprograms seasonally and aterpower outages

PAVERS WITH SPACERSAND UNTHIRSTY PLANTSFor patio suraces, opt or paverssuch as lagstones or recycledconcrete pieces. Grow unthirstyplants such as creeping thyme orsnow-in-summer in spaces between

DRIP-IRRIGATED RAISEDBEDS FOR VEGETABLESUse drip tubing or soaker hoses inraised beds; they put irrigation waterright where plants need it, with noruno or waste

COMPOST BINInstall a bin to turn your gardensbrown plant waste into deep richcompost. Dig inished compost intothe soil to improve the soils water-absorbing capability

california; easy water-wise gardening - san diego

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