Did you know that about 52 percent of home water is used
outside?
Did you know that about 52 percent of home water is used outside? That’s why watering wisely conserves this precious resource while saving money on water bills.
Studies show that about half of all garden water is wasted through poor watering practices that contribute to gardening problems such as poor plant growth, insect invasion and fungal diseases. Below are three easy steps to becoming a wiser water miser in your garden. This column will be followed in two weeks with a second column that describes three additional steps:
• Water the base of plants
Water plants at their roots by holding the hose down at the roots, using drip irrigation systems or by using soaker hoses. Root watering also reduces the risk of your plants catching fungal diseases. Water at a slow trickle. Although this may take longer, it is more effective because so little water runs off as waste.
Adjust sprinkers so that they spray the grass – not walls, driveways and sidewalks. Use sprinklers that emit large droplets to reduce evaporation loss.
Don’t water until plants need it. Water plants if the soil is bone dry at a couple of inches below its base. Overwatering kills plants because as the soil becomes saturated, air pockets are eliminated, so the plant drowns and the roots rot.
Key Tip: Far more plants die as a result of overwatering than underwatering.
• Evaluate your soil type
Clay soil does not need to be watered frequently because it retains water. The heavy clay soil, which is found in much of Morgan Hill, needs slow deep watering, rather than frequent light waterings. Adding compost or gypsum to clay soil will improve drainage and aeration.
Sandy soil, on the other hand, drains quickly so it should be watered more often but for a shorter time. If your soil is densely compacted or if you’re watering on a slope, water in stages. To achieve the best absorption, water until you see runoff, then stop and wait until the runoff subsides and water again.
Aerate your soil to improve water penetration and deeper root growth. This lowers the tendency for plants to wilt. Cut back on fertilizer because too much nitrogen will encourage thirsty new growth.
Key Tip: For better water penetration, try loosening up compacted garden soil using a hand cultivator.
• Deep soak when you water
Deep soaking encourages roots to grow into the subsoil where the moisture level is constant. Frequent shallow watering causes a plant’s roots to grow near the soil surface where they quickly dry out. Water a lawn once every three days during the summer to promote deeper root growth and healthier turf. Trees and shrubs should be watered once a week, as well; use 10 to 20 gallons depending on size. Outfit your hose with a shut-off nozzle with can be adjusted down to fine spray so that water flows only as needed.
Key Tip: When finished watering, turn the water off at the faucet instead of at the nozzle to minimize leakage.
People often don’t realize how much water they use. Overwatering can wash pesticides and fertilizers into the storm drains where it can harm the wildlife habitat. Don’t forget to check hose connections for leaks and repair them quickly. Regularly check sprinkler systems and timing devices to be sure they are operating properly.
We don’t have to all grow cactus gardens to be conscientious about water conservation. With knowledge of soil types, and proper care of plants and water systems, we can all have very attractive and productive gardens. Please stop by City Hall to pick up more water-efficient landscaping information.
All residents of Santa Clara County living in single-family homes, condominiums, town houses, apartments, and mobile homes are invited to contact the Santa Clara Valley Water District at 800-548-1882 to schedule a Water-Wise House Call. During the house call, a technician will evaluate the efficiency of your irrigation system, provide you with a personalized irrigation schedule, and identify irrigation leaks, broken or mismatched sprinkler heads.
If you have further questions or comments on water-wise gardening, please feel free to contact our Public Works Department at 776-7337.
This column was contributed by Emi Totschinger, the city’s water conservation coordinator. Anthony Eulo, an assistant to the city manager for the City of Morgan Hill, has invested many hours this year in installing water efficient irrigation systems at his home. He welcomes your questions, comments, and thoughts and can be reached at en*****@************ca.gov or 779-7247.
