Water is a precious resource and when we are talking about a region like Calgary Horticulture Gardens, where I am from, in which the climate is semi desert, then water becomes even a more precious commodity.
Denver Colorado residents in 1971 thought of conserving water, so they thought of trying out Xeriscape gardening calgary. If you are wondering what xeriscape means then it is a word derived from a Xeros in Greek which can be translated as dry.
Here are 7 principles of Xeriscape gardening that can help you in understanding it better.
1) Refine the Design
This concept is simple for gardens. Refine your design to meet watering needs of plants.
Group the same shrubs together in one area so there will be minimal water needs.
Also, you can cluster plants with low water requirement and plant them in the lower level of your garden so the water from the higher level flows easily downwards.
2) What’s the turf for?
We basically need to put a limit in our turf for it drinks out a lot of water. By planting smart we can use up space in our yard with beautiful plants and conserve water.
3) Plants that need little water is good
Most of the plants that you will find in are resistant to drought conditions so it is better to use them in garden design. Here are some suggestions.
Tormentils, juniper species, sea berries and mountain pines. Shrubs like russian silverberry, and species of pines.
Some good perennials include succulents, grey or silver leafed plants, rock garden plants, and spring bulbs. Find other annual flowers and they will do just fine.
4) Your irrigation has to be set up efficiently
One of the most irritating things is seeing that neighbor that waters his lawn, street and neighbor all at the same time. Change your irrigation system if you’re one of them.
Evaporation affects overhanging sprinklers half of the time. For that matter you may need to find a new overhead sprinkler every now and then. Another option to aerial sprinklers is drip irrigation which has a very low emitting system.
I can understand if you have some sort of an attachment to overhead watering system, it’s still okay to use it! Just do it during early morning hours.
5) Use some mulch
If you are trying to find ways to minimize evaporation in Calgary garden the mulch from Pond Algae Solutions supply store is the right choice. 2-3 inches of mulch should be enough for your garden.
6) Amend your garden soil.
If you are have clay soil or sandy/stony soil in your garden then you must have noticed that either the water drains too quickly or too slowly, depending on the type of the soil in your garden. But if you do have composting, some covering of leaf mould could have easily solved the problem.
7) Maintaining your garden.
You should sustain your garden and this important if you want it to remain healthy. This can be achieved by weeding regularly, keeping proper mulch level, and efficient irrigation systems. Once you attend to this things, then you will have a water saving garden.
Quite simply, xeriscaping will be that effective for people if they wish to conserve fresh water.
When you decide to apply the said techniques in your garden, then there’s no reason you won’t be in good condition in changes that will come.
You should be able to foresee that government will get tough on conservation of water, and you would have remembered what I have told you on xeriscape gardening and how it could have helped you prevent the fines in your water loss.
When time passes drip irrigation would be the staple choice over the spray heads.
The key with all this is to have fun and be waterwise! Even though you have no Gardens to preserve, just study plants in your local to make this happen.
It doesn’t matter if you are engaging in a Calgary Garden Design or are are designing in some other region, using water wisely is important. In my Calgary Gardens we always take these xeriscape principals into consideration.
Written by: Custom Stone and Waterscapes 3829 Parkhill Place SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2W6 (403) 870-1142
