Easy tips to help conserve water
Q. What tips can you provide for conserving water in the garden?
A. Because water is so essential to growing a lush garden, here are some easy water-saving tips:
Water you plants in the early morning - before 9:00 a.m. - or in the late evening - after 6:00 p.m. These times of day are cooler, and the water is less like to evaporate. Be sure to water at the base of the plant, so that it goes straight to the roots.
Add mulch on top of your soil to help lock in moisture and prevent the water-stealing weeds from growing. If weeds have grown, make sure to pull them quickly, so your plants do not have to compete for nourishment.
Collect rain water in rain barrels. You can place one right under a drainpipe. Try using a barrel with a faucet for easier access to the water.
Choose plants that don't demand water. Native plants are a good alternative, because they are already adapted well to your specific climate and rainfall levels.
Group your plants together based on their watering needs to make the task of watering not only easier, but also more efficient.
Worried about your landscape design? Use permeable hardscapes for paths and walkway.
Permeable hardscapes are materials with spaces that allow storm water to move through the walking surface. Examples include paving blocks, brick and natural stone arranged in a loose configuration, as well as gravel, cobbles, wood and mulch.
Q. How do I get rid of moss?
A. Because Mother Nature dislikes bare patches of soil, she fills in exposed areas with plants - or weeds, depending on your viewpoint. Moss happens to be nature's favorite filler for shady areas. Since moss obtains all its nutrients from the air (moss has no true roots), it requires nothing more than shade, acidic soil and adequate moisture to flourish.
While removing moss is a short-term solution, it will just continue to come back as long as your soil meets its criteria for growing. Therefore, you have to treat the cause, not the symptoms. There are several steps you can take to prevent moss:
Prune trees and shrubs that shade your flowerbed.
Get a soil test. Adjust your soil's fertility and pH based on the test's recommendations. If your flowerbed contains acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons and azaleas, you may not want to add lime to your soil.
If you have compacted, poorly drained soil, dig in 1 to 2 inches of compost to improve the soil's fertility and ability to regulate moisture. During dry periods in the spring and summer months, water your flowerbeds for 30 minutes once or twice a week instead of for a few minutes each day. This allows the soil to dry between watering and also encourages plants to develop more extensive root systems.
Perhaps the best solution to beat nature at her own game is to fill bare spots with low-growing groundcovers that perform well in shade, such as lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.), ginger (Asarum spp.) and liriope (Liriope spp.).
If all else fails, try to enjoy the moss for what it is - a self-planting, maintenance-free, no mowing groundcover. Unlike grass that turns browns in winter, moss actually likes colder temperatures and stays green all winter. What's more, moss is quickly becoming a desirable alternative to grass and is widely used in shaded slopes, pathways, water gardens and rock gardens. For centuries the Japanese have known what we are finally realizing - moss can add an amazing degree of serenity and timeless beauty to any garden.
• Provided by Mary Boldan. Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines, open 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Call (847) 298-3502 or email Cookcountymg.com@gmail.com.