For drip irrigation to save as much water as possible, it is necessary to know how to use it. One means is to have a separate schedule for each different plant group.
The number of separate taps needed for drip irrigating the garden plants is a matter of pressure and efficient water management. In parks and large gardens, the irrigation designer will have calculated the diameter of pipe required and the number of separate stations that are needed, so that the all the drippers emit water properly.
Gardeners in dry, Mediterranean climates should always be on the look out for water-conserving ground cover plants that are attractive and easy to grow. One such plant is the Morning Glory, Convolvulus sabatius.
Morning Glory is commonly associated with rampant climbing plants belonging to the genus Ipomoea. There is however a species known botanically as Convolvulus sabatius, (C. mauritanicus) which while having climbing properties, can be grown as a low-growing ground cover plant. Considering that its water requirements are very modest, and that is so easy to grow, it is an excellent plant for gardens in Mediterranean and other dry climates.
Landscape shrubs and bushes are a vital part of garden design and composition. In order to use them most effectively, their design role should be clearly understood.
Landscaping shrubs and bushes have a number of functions in the garden. In the abstract, landscape architects and designers see them as the “walls? of the garden, whereas trees and prostrate plants are viewed respectively, as its “ceiling? and the “floor?. Shrubs and bushes, by virtue of their dimensions, are the one group of landscape plants that relate to human beings in terms of scale ? both trees and low-growing plants being either beyond or beneath the size that relate to people. As the usual height of garden shrubs is between 1 to 3 meters (3-9ft) it follows that people eye them without either having to look upwards in the case of trees, or downwards with flowers or ground covers. The psychological significance of this “humanizing? function of shrubs and bushes, is usually missed by the average home gardener,
Saving water does not have to mean a dull, colorless garden. Here are some tips for an amazingly colorful garden, that is water wise as well.
Saving water in Mediterranean and other dry climate climates is becoming a matter of critical importance for gardeners. It is often thought though, that saving water has to be at the expense of beauty; that water conservation is synonymous with a dull, colorless garden. Admittedly, annual flowers are the largest consumers of water compared to other groups of plants, but color can be attained by using plants that once established, consume about 5 times less water over the year. Too good to be true? Read on.
Saving water does not have to mean a dull, colorless garden. Here are some tips for an amazingly colorful garden, that is water wise as well.
Saving water in Mediterranean and other dry climate climates is becoming a matter of critical importance for gardeners. It is often thought though, that saving water has to be at the expense of beauty; that water conservation is synonymous with a dull, colorless garden. Admittedly, annual flowers are the largest consumers of water compared to other groups of plants, but color can be attained by using plants that once established, consume about 5 times less water over the year. Too good to be true? Read on.
In these days of massive development and modernization where space is
of premium, finding houses with gardens is rare. Fortunate are those
who manage to inherit or are able to afford property which has a fair
amount of land around, that can be used to make a beautiful garden that
adds to the look of the house.
Flowers are
an option that everyone considers when planning a garden. Flower
gardening may not be as simple as it seems and it is necessary to bear
a few basic points in mind while you plan your flower garden.
The term flowerbed usually evokes images of dazzling color. In practice, the flowerbed often ends up as a disappointing eyesore. Here are some thoughts on how best to plan this part of your garden.
There are a number of reasons why perennial bedding plants, as opposed to annual ones, are used in garden designs. Perennials by growing beyond a single season, are thought to demand less care and maintenance than annuals that have to be replaced every few months or so. In dry climate gardens especially, annual flowers consume significantly more water than any other group of plants, requiring at least 1000 liters per square meter a year, in comparison to some perennial species, which can often grow on a third as much water.
In dry climate gardens, a professional irrigation system is a pre-condition for successfully growing the garden plants and managing water responsibly. It also makes good design sense.
Effective irrigation and efficient water management are about supplying suitable quantities of water to the garden plants, at the right intervals. Both these parameters differ in accordance with various groups of plants. Trees and shrubs of tropical origin may thrive on soil conditions that are almost permanently moist, while species from dry climates invariably prefer the soil to dry out somewhat between the waterings. Herbaceous flowering plants need to be watered frequently, while under such a regime, herbs are liable to suffer from a lack of air in the root zone.
Installing a professional irrigation system is essential in dry climate gardens, not only to achieve the best results possible, but also as a tool in the correct management and use of water. Make sure to get a decent electronic water timer as well.
The installing of a professional, automatic irrigation system is a pre-condition for successful gardening in a dry climate. Less obvious perhaps is that such a system is an essential part of proper water management, which aims to use this precious resource as efficiently and responsibly as possible. As a suitable electronic water timer is a vital ingredient of any decent watering system, the question arises as to which type has the features that help the gardener turn the goal of efficient water management into reality.
