Photo by Terri Sonleitner Law

Water Conservation For The Vegetable Garden

By Terri Sonleitner Law  Master Gardener

Q.  I grow vegetables for my family, but I know we are in a severe drought. How can I use less water and grow tasty vegetables in my garden?  Lindsey, Atascadero.

Now is the time to implement water-wise strategies that save water while still producing a bountiful harvest. Prepare the soil by removing all weeds by the roots and amending the soil with organic matter, thereby, increasing the water holding capacity.Improving soil nutrition can increase yields without increasing water needs. Next add a heavy layer of mulch. Well mulched soil will retain moisture longer.

Consider a new planting strategy. Try planting in blocks rather than single rows to shade plant roots and reduce evaporation. Group plants with similar water needs to irrigate more efficiently. Plant reliable varieties that have produced well for you before; or, you simply plant less to save additional water.

Irrigation strategies are critical to the overall goal of water conservation. It's best to water during early mornings when the wind is calm and temperatures are cool. But most importantly, do heed any city guidelines set forth in your area. A soaker hose is the least expensive and is easy to use. Drip or trickle irrigation on timers is ideal and can reduce water usage by 50%! Either way, remember to place irrigation hoses below the mulch to further reduce evaporation and make sure your plants have easy access to this precious resource. Check soil moisture regularly to avoid over watering.  Dig down below the mulch to evaluate soil moisture. Squeeze a handful of soil in your hand.  If it holds its shape, additional irrigation can be delayed.  If the soil is dry to a depth of 4-6 inches, it's time to water.

In depth drought information resources are available at the UCCE San Luis Obispo County website: http://cesanluisobispo.ucanr.edu/Drought_Information/Vegetable_Gardens/

 Please join us for a "How to Build a Raised Bed Workshop" on Thursday March 20 at 4:00 p.m. in our demonstration garden at 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. A raised bed can be water efficient whether planted with vegetables or drought tolerant plants. The workshop will be about an hour and building plans will be provided.

Groundwater Woes

Part 2

By Andrea Peck

I am hoping that many of you took the challenge and found out where your water is coming from. From the research that I've done, I see that the majority of us in SLO county (and the country, for that matter) get at least a smidgen of our water from groundwater sources. To top it off, if my mental scratchpad serves me correctly, I do remember reading that the majority of surface water sources (such as lakes, reservoirs, and rivers) are fed by groundwater. So, either way you look at it, you are probably using groundwater daily.

The world is comprised of 70% water, so you may wonder – what is the problem? Well, the vast majority (97.5%) of that water is ocean (salty) water that is unusable. The remaining 2.5% is fresh water. Only 1% of this available water is usable. The rest is inaccessible or just plain too dirty to drink.

That's it. That's why they call it precious.

This is important because we need to be aware that when we dispense our water it is either replenishing the groundwater or it is not.  The thing that dawned on me like a ton of bricks was that water that is on the surface tends to evaporate and water that accumulates often leads to run off.  Much of our water is not percolating back into the soil; it is floating up into the sky or sheeting off into the ocean. Yes, it may continue the water cycle by evaporation, but have you experienced our winds? Do you really think a bunch of blowy moisture is immune to being shoved over to the next continent? Plus, water that runs down roads and gutters brings nasty bits of pollution with it which impacts native wildlife and marine ecosystems.

I began to consider that this may be why the experts are continually going on about groundwater levels and water tables and the like. Though the water will end up coming back as rain through the water cycle, it may not end up on our soils or more importantly, at our tap – it may end up somewhere else.

It was kind of an “aha” moment.

The conclusion is clear: we need to keep as much water as we can on our property where it can sink down through the rocky fissures that allow our water to collect underground.

How do we do this? Well, certainly you can see that letting rain drip onto patios or driveways and then run into the street is counterproductive.

Rainwater catchment systems are probably the simplest mechanism you can install to curtail rainwater runoff – the water does not even need to be used in any particular manner – as long as it is allowed to permeate soil instead of concrete, you are increasing our chances of replacing groundwater.  Remember that familiar estimate: a 1000 square-foot home can generate 600 gallons of water during a 1” rain.

In fact, this method is so effective that many places, Los Angeles included, are considering making rainwater catchment systems mandatory in new developments.  (See link below).

There are also flexible rainwater extenders that can be moved to allow roof runoff to percolate into soil. It is important to remember that roof runoff is not appropriate for most edibles because of the particulate matter, bird feces and other detritus that comes from the roof itself, so it is best to place your water into an area that contains ornamentals. Where there is just plain dirt, try a cover of mulch to increase permeability. What the heck, while you're at it, add a drought tolerant shrubbery as a reward.

There are many methods that increase your “groundwater percolation rate.” One idea is to replace existing lawns with native or prairie-type plants. Native plants have extensive root systems that pull water in and clean it by filtering out pollutants (similar to an estuary). Lawns, on the other hand, do not have a strong water-retaining capability.

Replacing a portion of your driveway with gravel that allows water to seep down is another solution for those who are looking for a large, workout-style project.

Pavers are great replacements for patio areas because water can permeate through the connecting points.

Remember your voracious washing machine? Though there are caveats when using this water, (it cannot be stored or used on edibles) setting it up as a grey water system will replenish groundwater supplies.

The point is, the vast majority of us are using groundwater in one way or another.  Being thoughtful in regards to our use of water, along with replenishing groundwater is part of the new mindset that we as a culture need to adopt.

Check out this link to see how water catchment systems are the new home accessory:

http://www.treehugger.com/clean-water/los-angeles-may-get-mandatory-rainwater-harvesting-law.html

Tips and Tricks For Vegetable Gardening

By Andrea Peck  Master Gardener

It's been a disorienting year.  Spring planting may seem odd – shouldn't it come after winter? We all know how winter went. Those two (was it three?) days of winter really took it out of me. Whew! Now I look at my little seeds and starts and wonder…is this spring? Should I contemplate a little vegetable garden considering the water crisis? Should I call the whole thing off?

If you are feeling as discombobulated as I am, then hustle down to the Master Gardener's Advice to Grow By Workshop this Saturday. Not only will you be reoriented in regards to the correct season, you will be privy to a nice permutation on spring gardening. The focus will be on vegetable gardening, but the eye never leaves the storyline of this year: drought.

You will glean handy growing tips and water conservation tricks that will have you growing healthy veggies in our arid climate.  Learn what watering methods will best suit your needs and discover ways to plant that will naturally save water. Leave with innovative ideas and renewed motivation.

Drought Tip! Don't throw leftover water away after boiling vegetables. Let it cool and use it on your plants.

The workshop is held in the Garden of the Seven Sisters at 2156 Sierra Way in San Luis Obispo. The workshop goes from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00. Dress comfortably, bring sunscreen and water, and please park in the lot adjacent to the demonstration garden.

How to Series: Build a Raised Bed

Watch and learn as two of our seasoned MGs build a raised bed in the garden. Ray and Wes have contributed many years to our program and their expertise is visible in the infrastructure of the garden you see today. They'll be continuing their efforts as they construct a raised bed for one of our educational garden plots. The public is invited to watch and learn and will be provided with building plans to construct a raised bed of their own!

Date: Thursday, March 20, 2014

Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Garden of the Seven Sisters, 2156 Sierra Way, SLO
Cost: FREE!

Groundwater Woes 

By Andrea Peck

I broke my broom today. Don't worry, it was getting old and rotted on the inside. It lasted past its prime considering I had gotten it at the Dollar Store many moons ago.  I was sweeping when it broke and I was sweeping so hard that it snapped. After the rain last week, my outdoor areas are pretty mucked up with fallen leaves and grainy roof dregs. It would have been so easy to hose the area.

 Unfortunately I cannot.

Not because I've been given orders by the Order Givers or that my water is shut off for non-payment.  No, we do not have a broken pipe.

The truth is that I figured it out. With Google it's easy.

I know, I know, we all do it. We turn on the tap, the water flows and we think nothing about it. Here and there an inkling of a thought may scuttle across the highway of your cranium and you may wonder what lies beyond your kitchen sink. So often, though, that pesky thought is shooed into those dark cobwebby areas. How could these intrusive ideas not be eclipsed when there are more immediate deliberations, such as long, hot showers or tumbles of laundry vying for our attention? Oh, for clean pristine patios and driveways! Oh, for a shiny car!

But Those Who Know Better do not view these thoughts as brain fleas. Drought in California is a current issue, one in which we can all concede has had its effect. We look for green San Luis Obispo hills and the hills, my friend, are not Alive with the Sound of Music. Increased population and modern ways have depleted the groundwater into an abysmal state. Many experts fear the worst – we may never truly recover.

It's embarrassing to admit, but I guess I just really did not know what this meant for me. I know that the drought is bad and getting worse, but where do I fit into this Monopoly Board? How am I contributing to our water woes and how can I help?

Well, let me tell you what I found out.

After researching, I learned what we all should know. I learned where my water comes from. As a resident of Los Osos, all of my water comes from groundwater. There is no hidden benefactor, no huge pipeline that carries my water. My water, every drop, comes from the ground beneath my feet.

Golden State Water has a tidy, old school office located near the grocery store. I went to that office, wanting to know this: when I water my yard, does this water feed into the groundwater and eventually end up in a well? Unequivocally, the answer is yes.

But, I see clearly now that I am also using and wasting this precious water.  According to Golden State Water, approximately 5 feet of groundwater is lost per year. This has been happening for “many, many years.” To boot, water quality diminishes as the supply declines.

I challenge all of you out there to find out where your water comes from. Visit your water district and find out how you, as an individual, fit into the jigsaw puzzle.  Maybe then, we can all put the pieces together and come up with a sustainable solution.

Oh, yeah, and get a broom.

….to be continued…