The Okanagan Valley in Southern British Columbia covers approximately 8000 square miles, we all draw our water from virtually the same basin, there is a limited amount available, and we all need to be water wise. For some of us that seems to be a bit easier then others.
They have installed water meters in our country subdivision, although from what we hear, there was a huge outcry against them…they are not hooked up yet, but one day they will be. There are still homes that refuse to have them installed, and are fighting tooth and nail to make sure they don’t have them.
It makes me wonder if those are the people I see watering the lawn continuously, the sprinkler going all day long, dousing the grass with more then the recommended inch of water per week. It seems they will do what they have always done, despite a cool wet spring. It rains here every second day, of course it’s not the downpour of the coast, the constant drip that seems never ending, but it’s enough to keep the grass green for now. Are they trying to store the water? Or are they just obsessive about green grass?
I am so conscious of each drop that I use, we sweep the driveway, never washing it, each newly planted flower is watered by hand with a wand, and the spigot turned off between plants. I felt bad about transplanting my hosta’s, and ferns into a shade garden, and vowed not to replace them should they burn up this summer.
We are in the process of researching either a more drought resistant grass seed, or a lawn replacement that needs little or no water.
And then we have neighbours who in this every second day of rain season are sprinkling their grass for hours. Even if they have reseeded their lawn, it’s excessive, and not needed.
It makes me wonder, and it makes me burn up, and it’s not even summer yet.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
no mater where we look we will see people breaking rules, ignorant to the earths situation.Share is not a word in their vocabulary, we lived on a well for all our lives bar the last 8, we now are in the city and still watch our water consumption as you.I suppose we can only hope there are more like us than they, the alternate ground cover is a very interesting idea, I can't wait to see what you do.
ReplyDeleteCool down, ha ha temper temper, lol
One inch of water a week is plenty for a lawn and perennials. The idiots do not know that if they water more than that they are encouraging root growth on the surface and NOT deep down where roots should be. Perhaps you could mention that you have a friend in Minnesota that would be outraged at the water misuse:)
ReplyDeleteThere are always those who feel the rules are not for them.
ReplyDeleteIf they can get away with not being metered, they can get away with murder. I find that hard to get my mind around. Unmetered water is free, to waste, unlimited. We have a sliding scale, minimum for survival at a low rate. Stepping up briskly to attack people who choose to waste water. They PAY!
ReplyDeleteIt breaks my heart how so many are careless with out resources! Hang in there and know you are doing what you can to conserve water. hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteBeing a country person and a thrifty, waste not person I can never figure out why city folks have to keep watering their lawn. I always call it city mentality!! Gotta have a green lawn to keep up with the neighbours.
ReplyDeleteAny tranplant should be nurtured the first season. Your hostas and ferns need to be watered occasionally.
ReplyDeleteI've seen many put large flower beds in or around their yards to cut down on grass. Those with native flowers definitely are water conservative.
We have a well and septic system. I wish that they would bring water our direction. No one in our neighborhood waters the lawn. We all conserve. Can't believe that those neighbors water like that. It will bring your water down as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's like when I visit Colorado. THey are always having a drought yet everyone has built in sprinklers and they water the lawn. In the really rough times you can get fined for not turning the system off. Why have it anyway. Crazy.
We have similar issues with water here. I opted to not have a lawn and landscaped instead with garden beds and meandering paths of pea gravel and flagstone. I am SO happy I made that choice. All my plants are watered via a drip system that uses hardly any water even in the hottest summer months. And the balance in my garden has made it so I haven't had to use pesticides in over 10 years. I have ornamental grasses, but I'd never go back to a lawn.
ReplyDeleteCindy at Rosehaven Cottage
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. Water conservation is something that everyone will be forced to think about sooner or later and for a lot of folks, it's their water bill that will finally force them to consider alternatives. I'm going to be digging up the lawn at my new abode this fall and creating a rain garden to help with water conservation. Cheers, Jenni
We are on a well and try not to waste water so we never water the lawn. Mind you we usually have enough rain through the summer that it doesn't dry up, except for the usual 7 - 10 day heat wave in August. I think too many people want the perfect green weedless lawn. Ours was a cow pasture. The green is mostly weeds. Suits me just fine.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder to conserve... and to be thankful for the water we have.
ReplyDeleteSome people don't seem to care about what is best for everyone and think only of themselves! This is small thinking for sure!
These are probably the same people who insist there is no global warming. Thank you for your efforts to conserve water. The earth appreciates it. Your hostas should do well in your shade garden. Mine thrive there. Happy gardening,
ReplyDeleteLaura
I just came across your blog and am really enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI live and garden in Santa Fe, New Mexico which is a high mountain desert. There are some lawns here but they are generally frowned upon—there is a definite sense of environmental conservation here.
Up until recently my gardens are densely planted beds watered by drip irrigation and rainwater containment with no turf grass.
I have recently decided to convert my backyard to fruit and vegetable production and decided I wanted a little turf. I found a product called "eco lawn" or "no mow lawn" and am going to experiment with it.
I am not endorsing either product which is a blend of deep rooted fescue grasses that supposedly requires very little water once established. I just thought it might be something you may want to look into if you are wanting a low water lawn. I think that the drawback is that it doesn't stand up to a lot of foot traffic.
I will be posting the results of my experiment and will let you know how (or if) it works.
The Eco-Lawn is a fabulous product. I own a nursery in Summerland, BC (Canada) that focuses on dryland gardening and sustainable food gardening. We've used this product for a number of years now in our xeriscaping installations. I think you'll find great success with it!
ReplyDeleteBTW, we propagate Fallugia paradoxa (Apache Plume) at the Nursery which, I believe, is a Santa Fe native.