NIFA PNW Region Water Quality Program logo

Spring 2005
PNWWATER 059

Water for Landscapes and Gardens
during Drought

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Conserving water makes sense and cents as water rates increase to meet increased demands and wells go dry more often. Recent changes in weather patterns and land use have decreased the available water throughout the PNW. The population has increased and water is needed for many other uses: fish habitat, food processing, agriculture, pools and hot tubs, firefighting, cleaning, recreation, as well as extensive lawns. Stormwater is running off site rather than seeping down to recharge groundwater. The result is reduced availability of water even when supplies are normal. Already public service messages warn of drought, water shortages, and urge us not to plant lawns, vegetable gardens, or landscape plants.

However, food gardens and landscapes are also valuable. They are a substantial investment and contribute to property value, provide environmental, wildlife, psychological, economic, and social benefits for long term sustainability. If we use available water wisely and harvest wasted water we can still plant higher value food crops, and smaller, more focused lawns; convert some of the turf and bare ground to diverse, multi-layered landscapes that intercept rainwater, provide bird habitat, reduce stormwater runoff, and increase groundwater recharge. Landscapes and lawns also produce oxygen, remove greenhouse gases, and sooth the stressed mind. The green industry provides jobs and is a major part of the economic community.

Sharpen your watering and landscape skills
Check soil moisture before and after watering. Soils vary in texture and water holding capacity. Check again in several (3–7) days. Apply water directly to the root zone with soaker hoses, drip irrigation, or hand watering. Check your results so you don’t over- or under-water.

Harvesting "wasted" water
Capture roof water at all downspouts with rain barrels or garbage cans, fitted with a fine mesh screen (to exclude mosquitoes). Catch rainwater in wheelbarrows, buckets, garbage cans and upturned lids, or other containers. Place containers in the shower or sink to catch the cold water while you wait for it to get hot.

Washington State University logo University of Idaho logo Oregon State University logo University of Alaska Fairbanks logo Northwest Indian College logo Environmental Protection Agency logo USDA-NIFA logo

Pacific Northwest Regional Water
Quality Coordination Project
Partners

Land Grant Universities
Alaska
Cooperative Extension Service
Contact Fred Sorensen:
907-786-6311
http://www.uaf.edu/ces/water/
University Publications:
http://www.alaska.edu/uaf/ces/publications/

Idaho
University of Idaho
Cooperative Extension System
Contact Bob Mahler: 208-885-7025
http://www.uidaho.edu/wq/wqhome.html
University Publications:
http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/Catalog/catalog.html

Oregon
Oregon State University
Extension Service
Contact Mike Gamroth: 541-737-3316
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/
University Publications:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/

Washington
Washington State University
WSU Extension
Contact Bob Simmons:
360-427-9670 ext. 690
http://wawater.wsu.edu/
University Publications:
http://pubs.wsu.edu/

Northwest Indian College
Contact Dan Burns: 360-392-4328
dburns@nwic.edu or
http://www.nwic.edu/

Water Resource Research Institutes
Water and Environmental Research
Center (Alaska)
http://www.uaf.edu/water/

Idaho Water Resources
Research Institute
http://www.boise.uidaho.edu/

Institute for Water and Watersheds
(Oregon)
http://water.oregonstate.edu/

State of Washington
Water Research Center
http://www.swwrc.wsu.edu/

Environmental Protection Agency
EPA, Region 10
The Pacific Northwest
http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/

Office of Research and Development,
Corvallis Laboratory
http://www.epa.gov/wed/

For more information contact
Jan Seago at 206-553-0038 or
seago.jan@epa.gov

New plantings
Select the right plant for the right place, not just any spot available. Learn how to plant and water correctly. Plant during moist cool weather when possible or in the late afternoon or evening. Shade plants with temporary wetted cloth such as lightweight white sheets, especially if you must plant/transplant in summer heat.

Food production gardens (vegetables, small fruits, and fruit trees)
Home gardens and orchards are an increasingly important component of landscapes. In an uncertain economy they can take the edge off grocery bills and provide nutritious, fresh fruit and vegetables, provide exercise, and stress reduction.

Landscape modification
  • Plant water loving plants near downspouts
  • Redesign and cluster plants in zones to meet minimum water and sun/shade needs
  • Convert slopes to terraces; level ground retains water better
  • Locate lawns in focus areas; replace remaining lawn areas with trees, shrubs, and groundcovers
  • Replace thin lawns in shady areas with groundcovers and shrubs

Turf
Smaller lawn areas can be quite satisfying. They do not need daily or excessive watering. Lawn functions include producing oxygen, absorbing CO2, and protecting soil from UV radiation, compaction, and erosion.

NIFA is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a sub-agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, and is the federal partner in this water quality program.

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Download the informational PDF flyer here

A cooperative program consisting of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
and
the Land Grant Colleges and Universities.

- a Regionally-Based National Network -

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USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
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NIFA National Water Quality Program

This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 2008-51130-04734.

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page last modified on August 27, 2006

NIFA PNW Regional Water Quality Program