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16 The Clarington Independent, Bowmanville, Saturday, July 23,1994 Drought-resistant gardens could save up to one-third of water Warm-weather water use could be reduced by about one-third if more homeowners learned to apply the techniques techniques of xeriscaping (pronounced zir'-e-skaping) -- using landscape designs and horticultural methods that minimize water use, says a Cornell University landscape horticulturist. With the recent droughts, rising water costs, and dwindling cleanwater supplies, xeriscape gardening is becoming ever more important, says Donald A. Rakow, an assistant professor professor of landscape horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell. Save money, energy and time Consumers and professional landscapers landscapers not only can reduce their water needs by applying xeriscaping principles, principles, but also can protect their gardens from dry spells, save money, energy and time, as well as reduce pest problems, problems, erosion, plant stress, weed growth and maintenance needs, he says. Rakpw suggests that homeowners consider these facts: • Homeowners tend to apply about twice as much water on their landscapes landscapes as they really need. • More than half of the water applied with sprinklers and other overhead devices is wasted on non-targeted plants, sidewalks and driveways. • Up to 40 percent of the total water used during the growing season is for landscape irrigation, yet this amount could be reduced significantly. "Xeriscaping doesn't mean having to settle for dull colors and cacti," emphasizes Rakow. "Xeriscaped gardens gardens can be beautiful. They include drought-resistant plants and also plantings plantings that require more water, but that are clustered so that only a small por tion of the garden needs to be heavily watered. "Even wet seasons often have dry spells that can stress many plants," Rakow pointed out. In 1989, for example, example, the growing season was quite wet, yet at least 10 consecutive days were very dry. "Any period with 10 dry days stresses plants that are not drought-tolerant," drought-tolerant," he says. To xeriscape a garden, seven principles principles should be applied, he says. Plant selection is the only guideline that may vary from region to region. • Proper design: Group plants not only by how well they look together but also by their similar water needs. • Soil preparation: Use plenty of organic matter, such as peat moss or compost, in preparing the soil. • Consider reducing the areas devoted to turf grass to those where it is needed for aesthetic and recreational uses. Since turfgrass is by far the largest user of water in the landscape, substitute some areas with ground covers, covers, mulches, ornamental grasses or flower beds, or use newer, drought- resistant turfgrass types, such as improved tall fescues. Be aware of watering requirements Keep turfgrass areas separate from other plantings because they have different different water requirements. • Use about four inches of mulch, such as wood chips or shredded bark. Mulches also reduce weeds, help prevent prevent erosion, and contribute to the organic matter in the soil. • Choose low-water-demand plants as much as possible. Common flowering flowering plants, such as petunias, pansies, impatiens, coleus and begonias, require a lot of water. Good substitutions include yarrow, sedum, veronica, gaza- nia, gaillardia, bee balm and ornamental ornamental grasses, such as miscanthus and pennisetum mixed in flower beds. •Adopt efficient watering systems. Rakow recommends drip irrigation, which specifically targets plants that require watering. Drip systems release water at a pressure and rate at which it will be absorbed. Other systems Other recommended watering systems systems include soaker hose and bubbler systems. •Good maintenance will not only promote plant health but also water efficiency. Prune, fertilize and divide plants as needed. An additional advantage of xeriscape gardens is that they may require as much as 50 percent less maintenance by needing less mowing, only once-a-year mulching, fewer waterings, and less replacement of weak and unadapted plants. GT934610 Family Realty 2000 Ltd. 1 KING STREET WEST, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 1R2 Toronto Line: (905) 683-1119 • Oshawa Line: (905) 404-1377 ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A DETACHED GARAGE/SHOP? ALBERT ST., BOWMANVILLE 65 CHURCH ST., BOWMANVILLE Vendor transfer red *M ÜST BE SOLD! 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