Last night I attended a lecture given by Jeff Jabco at Swarthmore College’s Scott Arboretum. Entitled Water in the Garden: An Opportunity for the Gardener to Help the Planet, it was the first in the Arboretum’s new Sustainable Series lectures that focus on sustainable practices in the garden.
Jeff began by telling us that water shortages are expected in thirty-six states by 2018. That’s a sobering fact, don’t you think? He went on to say that water is the issue of the future—like gas is now.
Jeff discussed how to manage rain water on our lands with methods such as porous paving, appropriate selection of plants, lawn alternatives and storm water infiltrations systems such as rain gardens, biostreams, swales, rain barrels and green roofs. These methods will help keep storm drains from overflowing which results in flooding.
Jeff gave us the following six tips for watering wisely:
1. Trees and shrubs do not need to be watered after their first five years in the garden unless there is a drought.
2. Water vegetable and flower gardens only if rainfall is less than one inch per week. Don’t rush to water if plants wilt in the sun. Check the soil first to see if it’s dry.
3. Mulched gardens need less watering than un-mulched gardens. Mulch holds moisture in the soil and helps to prevent evaporation.
4. Water deeply or not at all. Shallow watering results in shallow root systems that need to be watered more frequently.
5. Water the soil, not the leaves. Plants need water at their roots. Watering the leaves can result in leaf burn from the sun and disease if leaves are wet at night.
6. Don’t waste water! Choose plants that rarely require extra water. Native plants and drought tolerant plants are a good choice.
I hope you will join me in attending these free lectures, which are intended to teach participants "how to protect our planet’s natural systems, become proper land stewards and encourage wildlife in the garden.” To view the schedule, go to Scott Arboretum’s Events Calendar.
Ok Julie, I’ve fulfilled the obligation we were entrusted with—to tell five other people what we learned by attending last night’s lecture.
Do you have a gardening question? In Delaware County, call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
June 14, 2008
Shade Gardening
Learn about annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs and trees that will help you develop your shade garden to its full potential. Cost: $10
July 12, 2008
Trees
Alan Jensen Seller, from The Care of Trees, will teach you about the trees on your property. Cost: $10
Registration required for all events. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website for a registration form.
