The long dry spring has turned into a scorching hot summer and concerns about a looming water shortage have forced the Greater Vancouver Water District to activate Stage 2 watering restrictions.
It seems we are emptying our pot of water faster than rainfall can replenish it. If we were primitive nomads living in the forest, we would simply go down to the river and fill up our pot again. But filling the water pot is getting harder to do when our water reservoirs are depleting faster than normal. This summer's drought reality is the lawn is going to have to go brown, the swimming pool may have to be emptied and the car may not get a wash until October. Water it seems, when running out, is suddenly important.
Stage 2 watering restrictions include a variety of conservation measures for residents and businesses to implement effective July 3, including lawn watering, which is now limited to one day per week. All public and commercial fountains and water features are to cease operation. Only water play parks with user-activated on and off switches can operate. Private and commercial washing and power washing of driveways, sidewalks and parkades are only allowed for health and safety reasons. Aesthetic cleaning reasons are not allowed. Sports and sand-based playing fields may only use the minimum level of water needed to keep them in usable conditions. Those are minor inconveniences compared to what's in store if dry weather forces us to move to Stage 3 watering restrictions.
For gardeners, current watering restrictions really only affect the lawn. Watering of tress, shrubs and perennials is not yet restricted, but who knows how the drought of August will force us to change our watering habits. And water conservation is really about habits and attitudes toward water. We all seem to think fresh water in our region is unlimited due to our high rainfall, but our ability to store water for future use is limited. It is rather ironic that for the past 20 years environmental groups, water watch dogs and concerned citizens have been calling for greater water resource responsibility and conservation in B.C. but it only took two months to teach all of us a water scarcity lesson. To help everyone get the most out of the limited water allowed in the garden, here's some water saving tips.
Use mulch to retain soil moisture
Mulch is the canvas upon which the garden is painted. But the drought resistance value of mulch really becomes apparent during dry summers. A three to four inch layer of any organic material such as bark mulch, composted bark or shredded leaves applied evenly over the entire planting bed will help retain soil moisture. Mulch also prevents the sun's rays from parching the soil and scorching exposed plant roots. And please, do not use useless landscape fabric as it only makes the soil drier by running off water.
Cover cropping
This is a technique used by permaculturists to cover the entire soil surface with tightly spaced plants. The concept requires planting closely to allow plant foliage to touch and intermingle thereby limiting the amount of soil exposed to the sun's rays, preventing evaporative moisture loss from the soil. It is not for everyone.
If you are worried about your plants touching, then you may not like this technique. I use this technique for water conservation but also for weed suppression.
Water deeply
Watering is probably the hardest skill to teach anyone. Percolation rates based on soil type, particle absorption and infiltration depth are technical terms that relate to how fast water goes into the soil, how much water is held and how fast and deep the water moves in the soil. I cannot tell you how long to water your garden because each soil type reacts differently when watered.
The short answer is that water should penetrate to the bottom of any given plant's root zone to promote deep, healthy and drought-resistant root systems.
The easiest way to check the efficacy of your watering is go and dig a hole in the garden after you have watered. You will immediately see how deep the water has penetrated into the soil. Then make adjustments to the duration of your watering accordingly to attain water at the desired soil depth.
Water is valuable, save it when you can
Don't let the tap run when you are brushing your teeth or washing dishes. Wash only full laundry and dishwasher loads. Don't wash the driveway, sweep it instead. Take shorter showers. Install low flow shower heads and toilets in the home.
But most importantly, if we don't conserve now, we will all have less water to use in August and September when the summer drought really hits home.
Todd Major is a journeyman horticulturist, garden designer and builder, teacher and organic advocate. [email protected]
