Don’t Let the Drought Dampen Your Garden’s Potential

While we have enjoyed those warm winter days, it’s time to pay up. The drought has affected us all – some more than others. Whether your community is required to cut back on water usage or if it’s just a simple recommendation, we should all pitch in and do our part to conserve our resources.

It may not be prudent to cultivate a lush, green lawn, but there are other ways to keep your yard and garden beautiful through these drier times. First of all, think shrubs and ornamental grasses. You’ll have more choices and get more bang for your buck (space).

Oregon grape (flowers in spring, bronze in the winter), red-twig dogwood (beautiful in the winter), and western spice bush are all hearty, blooming shrubs that will make your garden beautiful and require less maintenance and resources. California honeysuckle, rosemary, and sage varietals are also popular and are more fragrant options.

For more color and less of a shrub-like appearance, there are salvia, lupine, guara, and California poppies. Succulents are also always an innovative way to go. The tree aeonium, firesticks, echeveria, and fire aloe can all be unique additions to gardens as well.

Whatever you decide, simply do your best to use less water. For any regular watering, consider drip irrigation, which gives greenery a slow, consistent and healthy dose of water, as opposed to random oversaturation. Dedicated conservationists can opt to place a bucket in the shower, collecting and saving the “warm up” water for your garden. Plan ahead and put gallon containers outside during the next few rains –then set aside and nourish your yard when the time is right.