Download - 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 [email protected]@oregonstate.edu
blogs.oregonstate.edu/h2oncblogs.oregonstate.edu/h2onc
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