While the rains have
come back to Texas, the long term drought to the west, especially in
California, continues with devastating effects. The issue of water is going to
have to change as climate change continues to cause environmental problems.
While one can plant landscapes that feature native plants in terms of grasses
and some flowering plants, the issue with vegetables and fruits that need water
to survive and thrive is a bit more complex. Those kinds of plants absolutely
have to have water. The new book “Gardening With Less Water” by David A
Bainbridge outlines some possibilities regarding the delivery of water to the
plants.
“Low-Tech, Low-Cost
Techniques” that will allow you to “Use Up To 90% Less Water In Your Garden” is
prominently splashed across the cover of this small paper back. Also
prominently displayed is a clay pot inserted into the ground between carrot and
potato plants. Putting clay pots and other devices below the surface of
the ground to deliver water is the primary theme of this book.
After an introduction
that details the water crisis in text and pictures, the book broken into two
parts. Part One covers “Super- Efficient Irrigation Systems” and begins on page
14 with a brief overview on the topic. “The key to minimizing eater use is to
get water to the plant just as it is needed with little or no loss to
evaporation and runoff.” (Page 17)
Part of that is the
aforementioned technique of burying clay pots into the ground. The buried pots
in the form of gourds or wide mouthed clay pots can be used either to hold
water or to hold the plant in the ground. By burying the pot to the top or very
near the top one can water the planet in the pot and contain most of the water
to that immediate vicinity. The pot tends to stay wet longer when buried in
soil and thus restrains moisture around the plant. Obviously, the clay pots
should be porous, not glazed, and in their natural state without wax or paint, that
would interfere with the technique. More tips for this technique can be found
on pages 22 and 23.
Along with suggesting
ways of using clay pots inside of bigger
clay pots for those of us apartment and condo owners where space is very
limited, the author how to effectively garden with, porous hoses, porous
capsules (such as bottles and flasks among others), deep pipe irrigation, wicks,
and more. A number of different techniques are explained in detail by text and
photographs so that you can use one or more ways of addressing your personal
landscaping situation.
The various
techniques and ideas lead into “Part Two: Taking It To The Next Level.”
Starting on page 78 the author gives tips on how to water wisely as well as
advice on how to use your landscape to contain water by way of plants, rain
barrels, grid gardening, and more. Included in this section are tips on how to
develop a water garden plan for your particular situation. Beyond your personal
situation in terms of your landscaping, the author suggests ways to encourage change
with your local governmental policy makers at all levels.
The book concludes
with an appendix, an acknowledgments page, a 2 page list of suppliers and their
contact info, and a 3 page index.
At 130 pages Gardening
With Less Water by David A Bainbridge is a short, but extremely
informative book. Through pictures and text the book details how one can take
very small steps to conserve water as well as how to upscale info significant
savings. Detailed and comprehensive Gardening With Less Water is a well done
source that explains how you can do your part to save our precious resource.
Gardening With Less Water
David A Bainbridge
Storey Publishing
Dec 2015
ISBN# 978-1-61212-582-4
Paperback (also available in eBook)
$14.95
130 Pages
Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Public
Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2016
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