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C/Ho/I-16 Dec 09

G

ARDEN

DOCTOR

by The Garden Doctor

There are many techniques that we can use in our gardens to save water and the environment. The majority of water used in households in Bali is pumped from bores or wells. These wells penetrate deep into water basins, which have developed over hundreds, and in some cases even thousands of years. It is important that we use this water effi ciently as in many cases it is being used up faster than it is being replenished. Here are a few easy ideas to help you save water.

Watering. I always water in the early morning at sunrise, or in the evening at sunset, as this reduces water loss through evaporation. Early morning is generally better than dusk since it helps to prevent the growth of fungus. Don’t water in the middle of the day, or in windy conditions, the majority of the water will be lost to evaporation. If you know that heavy rain is likely in the coming days, then you can also avoid watering. When there is heavy rain soil reaches a saturation point at which no more water can be absorbed, so watering before a heavy rain is a waste.

To be effective, water must be directed to the root zone of the plant, (the area where the plants can use it), which for most plants spreads out to the same distance as the leaf canopy. Overhead watering (watering the leaves rather than the roots), will also increase water loss due to evaporation. It is much more benefi cial to give a deep watering or soaking every week, rather than a shallow watering every day. Deep watering will encourage deeper root formation and have the added benefi t of making your plants stronger and more drought resistant as they will develop a deeper root system. Water by hand with a can or trigger nozzle. It’s one of the best ways to make sure your plants get just the right amount of water where they need it. Water placed outside the root zone is largely wasted and will encourage weed growth.

Lawns. Try not to cut lawns too short. When mowing, cut only the top third of the leaf area. Reduce water loss even further by saving your lawn clippings to use as mulch on your lawn or garden. Avoid cutting grass by more than 1/3 of its length at any one time. Letting the grass grow taller will also promote water retention in the soil. You could also reduce the amount of your plot that is grassed. Grass generally requires more water than a well mulched garden. Potted plants also use more water than plants in the ground, so a review of your pots may help to reduce water usage.

Plant native species. Many gardens contain a large variety of plants whose origins are far removed from their current environment, where the soil and climatic conditions are far different. Native plants require less water and fertilizers as they are already adjusted to local conditions. When planting new garden beds, group plants with similar watering needs together.

Mulching. Mulch is a layer of organic material placed on the soil around plants which will save water, add nutrient and prevent weeds. Mulch breaks down to improve the soil and

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C/Ho/I-05 May 10

Bali Advertiser

by Dr. Kris

C/Ho/I-05 May 10

Easy tips for Water Saving and Mulching

provides valuable nutrient much like compost does. Adding a 15cm layer of organic material such as compost, bark mulch, dead leaves and twigs, straw or grass clippings will increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture

If you look at the surface of the soil in a natural environment such as a forest or the jungle, there is always a natural collection of organic matter such as leaves, stems, twigs, rotting branches, and even whole tree trunks. From the living plants above comes this steady rain of organic material. This is known as natural mulch, and it is alive with benefi cial organisms such as bugs, beetles, spiders, worms, and bacteria. They break the material down into nutrient (known as humus) and recycle it back into the soil. That is why topsoil in nature (the top layer 5cm layer) is always more nutrient rich, and the humus leaches into the soil below over time. In essence nature is providing its own slow release fertiliser. You can see that the largest healthiest trees in old growth forests have been growing for hundreds of years without the aid of man and his fertilisers. You should always be trying to emulate these natural conditions in your garden beds.

Mulch has many properties which make it essential in the garden and reduces water loss. Here is my technique for mulching. It involves laying down sheets of newspaper (at a 2-3 sheet thickness), and then covering with a layer of compost or dry leafy matter on top to a 15 cm thickness. As the material breaks it will incorporate into the soil. More material will need to be ‘top dressed’ from time to time. There should be no areas of bare soil except around the stems and trunks of plants. When mulching, leave a space, about a 20cm circumference around trees or plants. Piling mulch against the trunk or stems of plants may lead to insect and disease problems, so please remember this important point.

Mulch has many benefi ts to add to your garden. It absorbs water and insulates the soil to reduce water loss through evaporation. It will improve the soil quality and reduce erosion. It is also a natural and effective technique for preventing weeds. Weeds are not only unsightly but they also suck water away from the root zones of your plants. Weeds simply cannot grow under a mulched garden bed, as they will not receive the access to sunlight needed for effective germination.

If you have any questions regarding this topic or any other gardening problem please send me an email.

hammockcross@hotmail.com

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C/Ho/I-24 March 10

C/Ho/G-5 May 10

Dr. Kris

Garden Doctor Contact: dr.kris@ymail.com

Copyright © 2010 Dr. Kris

You can read all past articles of Garden Doctor at www.BaliAdvertiser.biz

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