Here are some fundamental principles in creating a drought tolerant and water wise garden.

1. Use water conserving plants
There are many low water use plants, trees, shrubs, perennials and ornamental grasses to choose from. Some research might be necessary, as certain kinds of lawn grasses, annuals, roses and vegetables use less water than others. The key is to choose plants that are naturally adapted to your region’s climate and conditions.

2. Group plants
Group plants together according to their water needs. Place thirsty plants together and drought resistant plants elsewhere. This allows you to precision-water your garden by area. It also makes the best use of automated irrigation systems, which are most efficient when watering plants grouped by similar water needs.

3. Limit turf (grass) areas
A lawn requires more water than almost any other landscape feature. Choose a grass that is adapted to your climate and limit the size of your lawn to just what you need. Consider replacing at least part of your lawn with a deck, low water use plants or alternative landscaping features.

4. Irrigate efficiently
Make sure your watering practices and devices are as efficient as possible. Water plants only when needed, not by the clock or calendar. Deep, infrequent watering promotes deep root growth. Water at night, when evaporation is much lower and the air is still. Tighten faucets so they don’t leak. Avoid runoff and overspray, which does nothing but waste water and carry contaminants to the ocean. Where possible, use permeable paving such as decomposed granite or flagstones with spaces between so rain water can seep through to the soil beneath.

5. Improve your soil
Routinely cultivate your soil by incorporating organic matter such as compost. Doing so improves the soil’s ability to resist evaporation and retain moisture. For clay or compacted soils around trees, you can improve air and water penetration with a heavy duty drill and screwlike auger. Bore 12- to 18- inch holes, 3 to 4 feet apart, into the ground within the tree’s drip line.

6. Mulch
To reduce weeds, slow erosion and reduce moisture loss through evaporation, apply a layer of organic matter over soil around plants. A 2- to 4- inch layer, spread beneath the canopy of a plant is ideal. Organic mulches such as shredded bark, compost and aged sawdust are preferable.

7. Control weeds
These garden intruders steal water needed by your plants. Regularly hoe or pull them out when they’re young, or use landscape fabrics or mulch to create an unfavorable environment for weeds.

8. Keep plants healthy
If the plants are healthy, they will be able to withstand dry periods better than plants that are troubled by pests, planted in the wrong location or improperly cared for.

9. Container plants
Group containers so they shade one another. During periods of droughts or periods of drying winds, place them in the most extensive shade they can tolerate. A good idea is to mix water-holding polymers into potting soil to improve soil moisture.

These water conservation basics are adapted from “Water Wise Gardening for California”, by Sunset Publishing Corp.

Cleveland Sage