Saving Water

October 16, 2007

This morning I read an article in the NY Times about the drought that is affecting almost the entire southeastern area of the United States. It is a scary prospect. Many communities are asking people not to use water for anything other than absolute necessities. We are facing some definite climate changes. As gardeners, we can be part of the problem, or we can do something about it.

There are so many gardeners, especially in areas that have a dearth of water, that really are part of the problem. Instead of choosing grasses and plants that can deal with less water, some choose water guzzlers, and then proceed to water them constantly. If you fall into that category, try to figure out ways to change your concept of gardening.

Here's a definition you need to pay attention to:

xeriscaping (n. xeriscape)

Landscaping with the use of drought-tolerant plants, to eliminate the need for supplemental watering.

I will deal more with this topic over the next week, so try to familiarize yourself with the concept. It is not only for desert landscapes! We can all benefit from this, from the tiniest gardens to the largest. Join me in being part of the solution and not part of the problem!