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Last Updated: Nov 14, 2008 - 12:49:26 PM |
Although it hurts to do so, I have decided to get rid of the clump of toad lily growing at a shaded corner of our garden. The reason for this drastic step towards a perennial that bears the most unusual flowers in fall is neither irrational nor unfair, but seemingly the only choice left: the plants, due to lack of moisture, are slowly reaching a point of no return. True, I could have saved them by providing enough water before this stage arrived, but it is one of those difficult decisions a gardener has to make when the going gets rough in terms of usage of water.
Every summer, or maybe just about, we go through dry spells when we pray for rain that simply refuses to come, which sometimes out of frustration, makes me wonder as to why I even bother growing a garden; but grow we must, for it is a passion we possess, a passion that makes us grow too!
So, rather than fuss about a situation that is beyond our control, bearing in mind that things can always be worse, for our part, what we need to do is to modify some of our gardening practices to enable us to cope with nature’s adversities such as lack of sufficient rain. Listed below, therefore, are some random thoughts, which while not new, nonetheless are worth repeating, on ways of conserving water, our precious natural resource.
• Prioritize: Water those plants first that are the most valuable or irreplaceable, such as trees and shrubs, including the newly planted ones; the annuals, being a short-term investment, can wait for a good rainfall or watered when the water supply is not short.
• Water deeply: As opposed to frequent shallow sprinkles, regular deep soaking is of more benefit to the plants and helps save water as well.
• Tackle the weeds: In addition to other nuisances they create, weeds can rob or compete for moisture that rightfully is for the cultivated plants; keeping weeds under control is a good overall gardening practice anyway.
• Mulch it up: Aside from the aesthetic value, mulch reduces loss of water and, at the same time, keeps the soil cool around the plants.
• Lawn can wait: Healthy fescue lawns tend to go dormant during hot dry months if enough water is not provided, but do green up once moisture is available.
Thinking ahead, one of the ideal ways of conserving water is to follow water-wise cultural practices as well as landscape the garden with plants that have proven to be drought-tolerant yet are pleasing to the eye; to help awareness on this very important subject, the Virginia Cooperative Extension has put forth a number of publications that not only are full of valuable information but are free, and can be obtained simply by calling the Chesterfield Office at 751-4401. For those interested, the titles of these publications are: “XERISCAPING…Coping with Drought,” “Creating a Water-Wise Landscape,” and “Drought-Tolerant Plants.”
Also, planted in front of the office building is a “Water-Wise Landscape” with plants that, appropriately, are drought-tolerant; so, feel free to visit the garden, get an idea or two, and do stop by the office if further information is necessary.
gitaagrawal@juno.com
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