Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/980318
Making a few changes in your garden care can yield great benefits. Less time and water wasted means more time for you to relax or entertain friends and family in your beautiful landscape. Water is critical throughout the life of a plant, but deciding when and how much water to provide each plant can be a bit overwhelming. Make this task easier and conserve moisture with these simple strategies. Start by matching plants to your growing conditions. Selecting plants suited to your climate, soil moisture and average rainfall means healthier, better-looking plants and productive gardens with less supplemental water. Incorporate organic matter such as compost into the soil prior to planting. This helps the soil more efficiently absorb rainfall and irrigation water. Less runoff means less water wasted. Adding organic matter also increases the ability of fast-draining soil to hold moisture, extending the time between watering. Mulch the soil with organic materials such as shredded leaves, evergreen needles or woodchips. Mulching helps conserve moisture while suppressing weeds and improving the soil as it decomposes. Plus, you'll be recycling landscape trimmings back into the landscape and the environment. It's green gardening! There will still be times you need to lend nature a hand. Sprouting seeds, young seedlings and new transplants need By Melinda Myers SiG MT 94 The Art of Waterwise Gardening Automate Watering of containers with drip irrigation and a timer. Photo: Gardener's Supply Company A two inch layer of twice shredded bark conserves moisture and suppresses weeds in this mixed border. Photo: Melinda Myers, LLC Photo: Melinda Myers, LLC Put fall leaves and evergreen needles to work as mulch in vegetable gardens and flowerbeds.