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GARDENERS'GUILD~HABITAT Hq

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arid climates make water an issue?
water well with these pointers.

CONSIDER YOUR NEEDS
water is an integral element in any garden design. Whether as a decorative feature, or basic sustainance for your plants, design the space to be wise about water. Group plants together to create focal points and increase watering efficiency.

CAPTURE AND CONSERVE
these two simple ideas can easily green your garden. Every gallon saved has an impact, not to mention that plants love rain water most. Almost anything can be used to collect water, though captured water should only be used for hydrating plants. Safety and some common sense is the first priority when improvising with materials on-hand, or planning a project.
In the desert southwest, placement of plantings can be naturally waterwise if located in shade through a part of the day. Incorporate existing structures and walls in your design to help also shade your plants. The shade will slow evaporation.

SMART IRRIGATION
First and foremost, an irrigation plan must suit the space it will serve. Many trowelers in a high desert environment employ drip irrigation to somewhat automate their watering strategy. But effective maintenance of a drip irrigation system is a concern with the area's hard water and a high likelihood that components become blocked periodically. Often a lower tech solution can be used in part to support plantings, in combination with a mulch layer to retain moisture in the soil. Following are a few lower tech solutions, particularly helpful for community gardens because sometimes running water isn't available. A 'gravity-fed' approach to watering, or the ability to collect and reuse water, may make an otherwise impractical garden plot possible.

Terracotta pots can be used as watering cans: the smart way for small-space gardeners. A secret of unglazed terracotta is its porousness. Without a glaze to seal the pot's surface, water slowly passes through the wall of the pot. A clay vase, pot or vessel can be buried in the soil and filled with water to slowly release water into the surrounding soil. These are know as Ollas ('oi-ya's), an almost-forgotten method of watering.

Watering with buried terracotta containers is wonderfully efficient as it provides water directly to the plant's roots, waters the plant slowly but consistently and reduces evaporation. This method also takes some pressure off the neighbor when you're out of town.

If you are someone who enjoys creating with clay, you will have no problem fashioning some kind of narrow-necked vessel. To maintain your Ollas, and extend their lifetime, soak seasonally in dilluted vinegar to remove mineral build-up in the pores.

Some gardeners will adapt the idea of slow-seep watering to recycled milk jugs. A plastic gallon jug can be punctured at bottom with holes to allow a slow release of water. After filling the jug with water, it can be placed in the ground or on top, close to the plants it will support. It isn't scientific or beautiful, but it may provide water long enough for a weekend away from home.

More tips:
Form wells around new plantings to capture water in a helpful place.
Use mulch to prevent evaporation.
Bury wood pieces or 'ground sponges' as tools for water storage.
Use swales to collect very large amounts of rain water, typical in a storm.
Explore similar techniques used in Permaculture, developed in Australia.
Plants do have exposure preferences and water requirements.
In the beginning, most plants will need regular watering to become established. In the second and third years,
Only some plants, usually those native to the area or similar climates, will be more independent over time.
Consider native plants!
Research 'bioregions' to understand more about how plants choose.
Learn more about xeriscaping in albuquerque.
Find a seasonal watering schedule for extreme conditions (AZ): gardenguy.com

above are guidelines to get you started!
drop by Gardeners'Guild for more info.
 
 
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