Native Texans know that the recent
heavy rain and widespread destructive flooding is an aberration in the weather
pattern. Dry weather, bordering or deep in drought is the normal state of soil
conditions in Texas. The Water-Saving Garden: How To Grow A
Gorgeous Garden With A Lot Less Water by Pam Penick might just help you
plan for the next dry spell and beyond no matter where you live.
A major thrust of the book is the theme
that a water saving garden does not have to be just cacti and succulents. First,
you as the gardener have to accept the idea that your garden has to adapt to
the local environment and not the other way around. As homeowners here recently
were reminded both visually and economically it is very hard to maintain
certain types of grass filled lawns when severe water restrictions are enacted
and enforced.
Broken into five parts this colorful
book opens up with “Part One: DRINK UP the beauty & ingenuity of a
water-saving garden.” Through text and numerous photographs of examples in
gardens in Texas, Arizona, and elsewhere that illustrate the concept of taking advantage
of stopping water runoff. Various
landscaping techniques are illustrated as to what can be done to make sure that
the rainfall that happens is either captured and contained or diverted so that it does not just wastefully flow into the streets and ultimately the city
sewer system.
Capturing the water is also the
theme of theme of “Part Two: make your
garden a WATER SAVER, not a water guzzler.” Starting on page 29 going beyond
rain barrels and cisterns, which are discussed in various sizes, other options are
covered such as a “rain garden.” This is an area of your yard that is depressed
and filled with plants that don’t mind being flooded. Dirty water from your
drive way, down spots, and are other surface areas that would not allow rain to
penetrate is channeled into this area. The plants clean the water as it is
collected. That cleaner water eventually soaks in and moves its way down to the
groundwater table and underground aquifers. Other ideas such as micro basins,
berms, swales, terraces, irrigation techniques, paving choices, and more are
discussed here accompanied by numerous photographs to illustrate key points.
“Part Three: PLANTING the water
saving garden” on page 113 starts off with obvious idea-- get rid of the lawn.
The plants that would do better are discussed and showcased. This includes
various native grasses that give one the illusion of a lawn with far less water
or mowing. Suggestions for various additional garden features as well as native
and “well-adapted” plants are found throughout the book as well as specifically
in this section. Get away from the idea that plants need to be in rigid lines
and embrace a sort of organized chaos where groups of plants all gather and
thrive together. The point is also made that beyond the air pollution caused by
leaf blowers is the fact that their use can strip topsoil and nutrients from
your landscaping which is damaging in the short and long run. A nice added
bonus to this section is the piece on container gardening for those in
apartments or condos who have limited space.
One can also bring water features to
such porches and that idea is a small piece of the ‘Part Four: oasis or mirage?
creating the illusion of water in the garden.” Most of the ideas and techniques
discussed here starting on page 163 apply to landscaping, but some can be
modified for those of us apartment and condo dwellers.
“Part Five: 1001 Plants for water
saving gardens” comes next. Because the detailed list is for the entire United
States it may contain plants that are considered “invasive” in your area or region. As
the author points out, you should make sure you check the list for your area
and avoid plants that are considered invasive--even if sold in local stores--
so that your help protect native plants and habitats. The list begins
with trees on page 198 and goes through perennials, grasses, ground covers, and
more before ending on page 222.
An acknowledgement page, a two page
resource list followed by three page photography and design credit list, and a
five page index brings this colorful and inspirational book to a close.
The Water-Saving Garden: How To Grow
A Gorgeous Garden With A Lot Less Water
by Pam Penick is an informative and visual treat for readers, gardeners, and
others. The 330 page book is packed with informative tips and suggestions all
geared toward making you being as successful as possible when you decide to
transform your landscape. It doesn’t do the work for you, obviously, but it can
certainly save you a lot in time, effort, and financial resources if you
consider the suggestions found here.
The Water-Saving Garden: How To Grow A Gorgeous Garden With A Lot Less Water
Pam Penick
Ten
Speed Press (The Crown Publishing Group)
February
2016
ISBN#
978-1-60774-793-2
Paperback
(also available on eBook format)
240
Pages
$19.99
Material
supplied by the good folks of the Plano Texas Library System.
Kevin
R. Tipple ©2016
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