Water-wise Gardening
by Patti Sevigny
UC Cooperative Extension Napa County Master Gardener
http://cenapa.ucdavis.edu

Finally the rain has stopped and it’s time to start thinking about what you are going to plant in your garden this year.  Maybe you are going to redesign your flower beds or add some shrubs.  Don’t forget veggies and herbs.  Keep in mind when choosing your new additions to look for plants that are native to your area and are drought tolerant.  You remember last year when you almost fell on the floor after opening the first water bill of the season?  There are ways to keep that bill down.  Many areas of the country are trying to encourage water-wise gardening - using plants that require little or no water once established.  Don’t worry, this does not mean cactus garden only. Check with your local nursery or a good garden book to find what plants thrive best in your area – take a peek at neighbors’ yards also.  One of Napa Valley’s local resources includes East Bay Municipal Utility District (www.ebmud.com) - “Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates.”   

When you design your garden, group plants that have similar water needs to ensure proper watering and avoid waste. Remember even drought tolerant plants need water the first year to become established.

You could get rid of your lawn…I know this sounds drastic and I never thought I would accept this idea but after seeing many yards without lawns it makes a lot of sense. If you must have a lawn, be sure to turn off your irrigation system in the winter. In the spring check all of your sprinklers for blockages and clean as needed.  This is also a good time to readjust your sprinklers to avoid run-off onto the sidewalks and driveway.

Set up a drip irrigation system for your garden beds.  This gives water directly to the roots and even cuts down on weeds.  Check your emitters on a regular basis to be sure they are operating properly.

Mulching is another technique that can help make your garden water-wise.  A two to three inch layer of mulch reduces evaporation and keeps the root zone cool.  I use compost over newspaper, which has the added benefit of inhibiting weed growth.

Remember, a little planning and effort to conserve water will help not only the environment but will save you time and money.

If you will be in the Napa Valley on Sunday, June 12, please join the Napa Master Gardeners for the first annual garden tour “Down the Garden Path”.  There will be six gardens designed and planted by master gardeners - you can experience first hand many examples of water-wise gardening.  You can find the information for the tour at www.cenapa.ucdavis.edu.

Happy Gardening!