gardening for better watersheds in oregon

Gardening with Healthy Gardening with Healthy Watersheds Watersheds in Mindin Mind

Robert EmanuelWater Resources & Community Development Faculty, Clatsop & Tillamook counties

““We forget that the water cycle and We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.” the life cycle are one.” --Jacques Cousteau--Jacques Cousteau

Where is your garden in the watershed?Where is your garden in the watershed?

In a watershed, every little thing adds up.In a watershed, every little thing adds up.

Water Conscious Gardening Goals

ConserveConserve water & inputs Increase permeabilitypermeability of the landscape RetainRetain water, soil, and other inputs on site

ConservingConserving Water & Inputs

Lower water requirements during dry periods Reduce fertilizer applications and rates of

application Decrease applications of pesticides & herbicides

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Low maintenance Little irrigation all

season long Plants tolerate the wet

but thrive in the dry:– Mediterranean spp.– Natives

http://mg.jefferson.wsu.edu/index.php?page=44

Waterwise Gardening

WaterWise Tips

Choose plants that are known to be reliable and problem-free for your area and that won't outgrow the space you are working with.

Reduce the size of your lawn or eliminate it entirely.

Prepare the soil well before planting so plants get a strong start.

Mulch to reduce weeds and conserve soil moisture.

If you live where watering is a necessity, install an automatic system, possibly drip.

The American Lawn

The single largest crop in the U.S.The single largest crop in the U.S. Covers the most space in suburban Covers the most space in suburban

AmericaAmerica Consumes the most chemical Consumes the most chemical

inputs/capitainputs/capita Typically consumes the most water in Typically consumes the most water in

homeshomes Costs the most in time, energy, and Costs the most in time, energy, and

inputsinputs Least attractive to beneficial wildlifeLeast attractive to beneficial wildlife

Lawn Solutions

Minimize it Install where it’s

most used Eliminate it

altogether

Vegetables

Vegetables

“Grasscycling”

Remove baggerRemove bagger Mow 1/3 of the height of the grass each timeMow 1/3 of the height of the grass each time Compost what you do rake or bagCompost what you do rake or bag Slow or stop irrigating during the summertimeSlow or stop irrigating during the summertime Organic lawn fertilizers: fish meal, bone meal, Organic lawn fertilizers: fish meal, bone meal,

dried blood, animal manures, composted dried blood, animal manures, composted digester sludge, fresh grass clippingsdigester sludge, fresh grass clippings

Consider the benefits of a “climax lawn”Consider the benefits of a “climax lawn”

Much Ado About Mulch!

Cost. Availability. Ease of

application. Toxicity. Contaminants. Wettability. Air exchange. Stay in place. Color and texture. Fire resistance.

Characteristics of good mulches

Allium karataviense

Weed control + Water Savings = $$ Saved!

Living Mulches

Plants must be well established

Suppress weeds before planting and during fill-in.

Look for plants that produce a wide canopy

Pt. Reyes Ceanothus, (Pt. Reyes Ceanothus, (Ceanothus gloriosusCeanothus gloriosus))

Go Native

Native plants are hardier for local conditions Native plants generally require fewer inputs Native plants generally require less summer

irrigation Native plants replace potential invasives Native plants increase wildlife use Native plants can be more interesting

Coastal WildStrawberry: Fragraria chiloensisRed Flowering currant: Ribes sanguinium

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. repens Kinnikinnick: Arctostaphylos columbiana

Western Trilium: Trilium Ovatum

Western Bleeding Heart: Dicentra formosa

False lily-of-the-valley: Maianthemum dilitatum

Blue-eyed grass: Sisirynchium occidental

Stream Lupine: Lupinus rivularus

Broad-leaved Stonecrop: Sedum spathuliforlium

Camas: 3 species

Camassia leichtlinii C. quamash C. cusickii

Black Twinberry: Lonicera involucrata

Western Azalea: Rhododendron occidentale

Douglas spirea: Spiraea douglasii Ninebark: Physocarpus capitatus

Part of the process of planting in wild areas neighboring your home is appreciating a “wilder” aesthetic--Linda McMahan

Increasing permeabilitypermeability of your landscape

Minimize where hard surface is used Use permeable surfaces where possible Reducing soil compaction

Lawns & hardscapes can do double duty

RetainingRetaining water and & inputs

Do your homework to minimize inputs first Let nature treat your runoff first Strategically manage moisture throughout the

year Work with (not against) backyard streams

Fertilizers

Determine what’s needed: test your soil first Quick release fertilizer 1/3 max, 3 times during

season Apply fertilizer during periods when plants will

use them With nitrogen, slow release is better than fast

release Condition soil w. compost for maximum use of

fertilizers Use composting & mulching to return garden

waste to soil

Herbicides

Follow the directions carefully Apply it to healthy plants (water well before) Stay back from aquatic environments Never apply when rain is forecasted Apply during calm weather, cool weather Apply it correctly and deliberately (don’t rush) Be patient

Principles of IPM

Start with resistant and healthy plants Be tolerant of some damage Monitor for and identify pests Choose the least toxic control first Combine techniques (e.g. cultural, biological

and non-toxic chemical treatments)

Another Way to Look at Pests

A sustainable garden is biologically diverse Pests are part of that biodiversity A balance of invertebrates should be the goal An infestation indicates lack of balance Strive for plant diversity; avoid monocultures

Going with the flow (instead of against it!)

Capture and absorb water in the winter Save in the spring, release the excess Conserve water in the summer and fall Take special care of backyard streams

To better protect ourTo better protect our• StreamsStreams• Fish and wildlife habitatFish and wildlife habitat• Drinking water Drinking water • Water qualityWater quality

To reduce infrastructure To reduce infrastructure costscosts

To make our communities To make our communities more attractivemore attractive

Low Impact Development Low Impact Development plans, ordinances, and best management plans, ordinances, and best management

practicespractices

LID Principles

Work with the landscape Focus on prevention of stormwater runoff Micromanage stormwater Keep it simple Multi-task Maintain and sustain

A rain garden is a “sunken garden bed” that collects and treats stormwater runoff from rooftops, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and streets.

pondingdepth 6-12”

© Good Nature Publishing

Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota ExtensionPhoto courtesy of University of Minnesota Extension

Rain GardensMay 2010, L&C NHP,

Warrenton

Stay tuned to your MG communications for more

details.Be there!

Rainwater Harvesting

No permit is required to harvest up to 5,000 gallons of rainwater and use it for outdoor irrigation w/o connecting to potable plumbing.

Rain Water Harvesting

If used for landscaping and vegetable gardens can go untreated

Store late spring rain, send the rest to the rain garden

Consider designing your system to store water after “first flush” to minimize pollutants

Remember: you have more than Remember: you have more than just human neighbors along that just human neighbors along that

stream!stream!

Caring for Backyard Streams

Maintain good riparian shade near streams

Don’t mow to the edge; leave it wild Don’t straighten or arm stream banks Leave large woody debris in streams Don’t drain seasonal wetlands near

streams Keep livestock & pets out of streams Avoid planting invasives; control

where possible Minimize pollution into the stream

What’s wrong with this picture?

A practical tip: Enjoy Your Stream

Frame your view– Large plants near sides of your property

Go by full growth height– Plan years in advance avoid future hassles

– Low growing shoreline plants include small fruited bulrush, slough sedge, and yellow

monkey flower

Sample Design 1Dry steep slope

This landscape plan is for a garden that has a steep slope

Water CPR Checkup

Save Save water, water, retain retain water, water, soak soak up waterup water Lower your Lower your inputsinputs by best conservative by best conservative

applicationapplication Go Go nativenative wherever possible wherever possible Treat your backyard Treat your backyard streamstream well well

Questions? Questions?

Robert Emanuel, Ph.D.Robert Emanuel, Ph.D.Water Resources & Community Development SpecialistWater Resources & Community Development SpecialistOSU Extension Service Tillamook & Clatsop countiesOSU Extension Service Tillamook & Clatsop counties(503) 842-5708 X 210(503) 842-5708 X 210robert.emanuel@oregonstate.edurobert.emanuel@oregonstate.edu

blogs.oregonstate.edu/h2oncblogs.oregonstate.edu/h2onc

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