Summer is on its way and in southern California that always means lots of hot, dry days. And even though the verdict is still out on whether we are officially in a drought or not, it is always a good idea to save water.
Yards with lawns and gardens use a lot of water. But we love our greenery, our homegrown produce and our flowers and don’t want to let them go.
Here are five ideas on how to conserve water while still keeping things beautiful:
1. Choose native plants. Planting annuals that love hot weather will keep your garden looking good. Try Amaranthus, Cosmos, Poppy and Petunia.
2. Water deeply. Make sure to soak down to the roots. Don’t just spray the surface.
3. Mulch your garden. By adding a protective top layer of mulch the water does not evaporate as easily and the plants stay hydrated.
4. Drip Irrigation. Ingenious drip and soaker hoses direct water straight to the plants’ roots and help them thrive.
5. Lots of vegetables. In your food garden, place plants close together. They protect each other, offer less area to water and look especially abundant. Just remember to leave enough room for roots to develop.
So there you have it. Five simple, inexpensive and effective ideas to keep your garden green and luxurious all summer long.