Brilliant Water Saving Tips & Advice

Many regions in the United States of America are experiencing long-term droughts and there are areas that are now in Level 3 Drought conditions. Generally in such conditions people are not allowed to water their lawns, wash your car and water is restricted in its usage. Worse off some of these areas are so dry that fires easily start and spread quickly. This complicates matters because it takes a lot of water to put out fires and when supplies are low that is not always an option.

Many businesses are also impacted by water shortages such as car washes and it is an issue that has been plaguing the industry for some time. Most car washes recycle a good portion of their water, but generally they still use between 12 and 20 fresh gallons of water per car in a full-service car wash. Even self-serve car washes use between five and 8 gallons per car washed. Granted this is a lot less than someone might use if they wash their car in their driveway, but in Level 3 Drought sometimes that is even too much.

In many cities in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, California and Texas the issues with droughts is beginning to scare many carwash owners some realize or maybe a time when they have to shut down. Meanwhile, as fresh water supplies get short the price also increases and then come the water restrictions.

If the carwash can only use half of its normal amount of water and it has to pay twice as much for it then it cannot clean the cars very well and it has to raise the price of the carwash for the customer and then the customers stop coming one day. It is a serious issue and car washes are not alone.

Consider if you will landscapers, pool contractors and so many other industries, which use water. There is an economic factor to droughts and it is his serious environmental issue. We need a water conservation program in this country and everyone must do their part. Please consider all this in 2007.

Drought Tolerant Plants

Areas of your garden that face West or South naturally tend to be much hotter and receive much more direct sunlight.

Taking a little time to choose the right plants for these demanding growing conditions can help save you time, money, and water, as well as improve your overall results.

Most plants will require more water under high heat/sun conditions unless they’re native to one of the desert regions, or when established, tend to be drought tolerant.

A deep watering program in high heat areas can help conserve water, and still promote healthy, vigorous growth.

Tip: Young plants, or fresh plantings, will require time to grow into their drought tolerant status. Root systems need time to expand and become established, and that length of time will depend in general upon plant type,variety, and the watering method you choose to employ.

Mulch

Adding a thick layer of clean mulch on your garden beds, will help to conserve moisture, and protect a plants roots from temperature extremes. Ground bark, straw, or compost, are some of the organic materials used for mulching.

Apply a 1 to 2 inch thick layer of mulch on top of the soil and around plants. A mulch can be applied at any time during the growing season, however, mulching early in the season, just after preparing the soil and planting, will provide the most benefit.

South facing walls or fences tend to absorb and reflect intense solar heat, and so will add to theses demanding conditions.

One method used to offset this situation, is to train heat-resistant vines to grow and cover, south or west facing walls, and so prevent the suns heat from being absorbed and reflected into the garden.

Another option, is to provide small areas of shade throughout the hottest areas of your yard. Planting small garden trees or dwarf varieties suitable to your local region, will tend to moderate temperature extremes within their local areas.

Not all heat-resistant plants are drought-tolerant. Most annuals will require at least 1 inch of water per week. Drought-tolerant plants, in general, will have deeper root systems, and due to their natural environment, have developed the ability to thrive under low moisture conditions.

The following, are examples of the most successful and widely available plants that are heat resistant:

Annuals: Zinnias, Marigolds, China Asters and Salvias.

Vines: Bougainvillea (all), Hibbertia scandens (Guinea Gold Vine), Rosa (climbing), Wisteria.

Shrubs: Calliandra, Callistemon (Bottlebrush), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Lantana, Pyracantha.

Trees: Citrus (all), Fig (edible), Magnolia grandiflora, Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurel Cherry), Pyrus (Ornamental Pear).

Also, most herbs tend to thrive under high heat and light conditions. Examples of these would include, Lavender, Rosemary, and Sage to name a few.

Drought tolerant plants are excellent choices for areas and regions that receive little rain, and are well-suited for areas with high heat and light conditions.

The following, are widely available examples of drought tolerant plants:

Annuals & Perennials: Achillea (Yarrow), Aloe, Coreopsis, Gaillardia (all), Portulaca grandiflora (Rose Moss), Salvias, Verbena.

Vines: Bougainvillea, Wisteria.

Shrubs: Acacia (many), Callistemon citrinus (Lemon Bottlebrush), Crassula argentea (Jade Plant), Lagerstroemia indica (Crape Myrtle), Lantana.

Trees: Acacia (many), Eucalyptus (most), Fig (edible), Walnut.

Taking time to choose plants that suit your local environment or growing conditions, will help to ensure positive results and provide a healthy landscape that will thrive for many years to come.

Finding Drought Resistant Trees

If you live in an area that is slightly parched of water, you know better than anyone that one of the things that decides whether a tree survives or not is your ability to supply it with sufficient water. Unfortunately, many people don’t take this in to account when buying a tree. They will just go for the nicest looking tree, and then wish they could give it more water. If you do a little planning before you rush out and buy a tree, you should be able to find trees that can survive on lower amounts of water.

Usually the most adaptable plants are the ones that are indigenous anyways. If you live in a zone that is suffering a water crisis, usually the only plants that survive are the ones that have been there all along. This is because they are used to the conditions and know how to survive. Just take a drive through the undeveloped regions of your city, and look at what trees are green. Find out their names, and buy them. They might not be the most attractive trees, but you rarely have to make any modifications to your soil to get them to grow.

One of the trees that will grow almost anywhere without using much water is the “Scotch Pine”. Not only does it grow at a very fast rate of 20 or more inches per year, it is hardy and drought tolerant. It usually grows between 25 and 35 feet, and it extremely easy to get started. Most nurseries sell these trees, especially in areas with lower amounts of water. There are many varieties available. Many fade to a yellowish brown color during the colder months, and this is usually what causes some people to dislike them and others to love them. However, there are varieties available that do not do this.

The Juniper is an extremely hardy and easy to grow tree. Its bark also turns a browner color during the winter, and rejuvenates in late spring. They are frequently used as windbreaks because of how tough they are. These trees are also great if you are trying to attract different varieties of birds to your yard. They provide great branches to nest in. Unfortunately the Rocky Mountain Juniper doesn’t grow as fast as other hardy plants like it. The rate is less than 10 inches per year.

Another one of the most popular drought resistant trees is the Russian Olive. This tree is impressive and will definitely turn some heads once it is fully grown. It is more decorative than the trees mentioned above, and will reach 20 or 25 feet once it is fully grown. They are able to grow in almost any soil, and attract birds with the berries they produce.

As you can see, there are many options for you if your water is limited. There are many others that I have not mentioned, and depending on your area you may be able to find a preferable variety. Do a Google search for hardy plants that will survive in your area, and you should be presented with a large list. If you can’t find that list, just go outside and see what is currently flourishing. That is the best indication of what you should buy.