For almost a hundred years the epitome of a pastoral garden scene was an acre of lush, green lawn bordered by lofty willow trees. In residential settings, the green lawn lined by a white fence and bright flowers, were all symbols of the American Dream.
However, that was when water was the most abundant commodity in the country. And to expand this thinking new developments such as sprinkler systems, large bathrooms and swimming pools took advantage of this endless supply. Almost every new landscaping feature - like fountains, ponds and spas - taxed the water supply as did the building of more subdivisions and golf courses.
Today, the water levels of all the major rivers in the country tell a sad story of the abuse of the water system. For example, the mighty Colorado River is one of the largest sources of water in the western states. For 1,400 miles it runs from the rivulets flowing from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of California. In doing so it runs the gauntlet of 7 states spanning 2 countries: Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Arizona and Mexico. Just recently it was announced that the river might reach its lowest mark in 500 ears. And most of this low water table, or aquifer, is due to water demands placed upon it.
In addition, the high price of fuel has forced many transport companies to raise their prices. This snowballing effect is reaching the food on out tables so many people are looking to their backyards as a food supply for the first time in years.
Conserving Water
For many homes, it's not that they have so much greenery that taxes the water supply, it's how it's used in the garden.
Drip-Tube Irrigation: If you walk down a residential street on a hot summer day you will probably see a lawn sprinkler going, spraying mist into the air or water well past the intended target and onto the hot sidewalk. In both cases it is vaporized. Even sprinkling at night is akin to “carpet bombing†where a lot of the intended water spray either misses or over-waters the intended target.
In many states the regulations on water have mostly stopped this activity and homeowners are shifting to drip-tube irrigation systems. This process “weeps†water out of hoses beneath the ground and gets the moisture right to the roots thus saving great amounts of water and a large water bill. Similar systems have been devise for lawns, shrubs and trees.
Gray Water: Most of the water that has been used in the home for showering, washing clothes and dishes and baths is called “gray water.†If the occupants of the home use environmentally-friendly shampoos, soaps and detergents this water can go right into the drip irrigation system instead of the fresh water.
Rain Water: People in dry areas have been collecting rain water for eons. New cistern systems allow rainwater to be collected from the huge expanse of the roof and stored for either garden watering or for household use in toilets, showers and dishwashers.
Bringing the Garden Out Front
Once the domain of the backyard, homeowners are starting to bring their gardens to the front of the home. Many home lots were designed so that the front yard faced south so, in these cases, the sun hits this part of the lot most of the time. Not only does this do away with the lawn but there is extra space for growing vegetables and berries.
Many people have taken up gardening for a hobby and found that most of their food now comes from the area that surrounds the home. With a few extra hours a week this can not only conserve water meant for a lawn but saves the earth from pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
Native Plants and Shrubs
Before the land was carved up for farms and houses there was a balanced system of plant life that had existed for eons. This self-sustaining eco-system resisted pests and grew healthy with no help from anything except the sun. By going out into the country, or speaking to a natural landscaper, you will able to access these plants. Lawns that have been denied chemicals have survived with the addition of natural clover and other plants which look great when mowed.
Organic Fertilizing
Every year more and more counties ban chemical fertilizers, compounds which were once thought to improve the garden but have been found to kill the good nutrients and microorganisms in the soil. The good news is that organic fertilizer sales have skyrocketed during the past few years.
Pest Control
By matching certain species of plants pests can be kept at bay. Garlic is a great example of a protective plant:
- Around tomatoes: red spider mites.
- Around fruit trees: repel borers.
- Garlic spray on sweet potatoes: rabbits.
- Garlic spray on a pond: kills mosquitoes.
Whatever the land around your home looks like you can transform it into a places that can co-exist with nature. This works better than building a chemical fort around the yard for protection and draining valuable water resources.
Posted by: TrustedProsSuggested Reading For You
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