Xeriscaping to conserve water

With much of Macon County having been in a drought this summer, it's been a good time to experiment with xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is a method designed to minimize or eliminate the need for supplemental water from irrigation. Master Gardener Christine "Chris" Case has been xeriscaping to reduce the need for watering in the berm in the middle of the parking lot at the Macon County Environmental Resource Center. "We started it last year with the thought because we're having such a drought, how do we be compliant and try to do better as far as not having to do it? How do we grow things here and keep them from losing too much water. We don't want to have to water everything, especially in the drought." The berm garden remains a work in progress. "It takes years to develop a garden," Case said. Many of the plants in the berm are established and some were gifts to the ERC. Case said as the project evolves they will add plants that require less watering. The berm is surrounded by a paved parking lot. "So when it gets dry, it tends to be the hottest, most challenging part," she said. Using mulch helps the soil retain moisture and deters weeds. "We have to cut down on the weeding," Case said. "Nobody wanted to work up here [in the berm]." The Master Gardeners volunteer two mornings a week to maintain the gardens at the ERC. "The idea is to use plants that are drought-tolerant, native when possible," Case said. Once established, native plants usually require less water and less fertilizer. North Carolina is home to many selections of native plants. According to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, our state has more plant species than all of Europe combined. Many of these species are tolerant of seasonal dry conditions and will usually do better during dry periods than exotic or hybrid species. Rather than daily, short, surface watering, Case recommends watering thoroughly just a few times a week as needed so that that the water seeps down to the plant roots, which will encourage deeper, stronger root growth. Ideally you'd water about 90 minutes, but Case said most people, including herself, don't want to spend that much time walking around in the garden with a water hose. A drip irrigation system is helpful. If you use sprinklers, make sure they are positioned so that you are actually watering the plants. "Water wisely," Case said. "Don't water a parking lot. Try to direct the watering to the plants that need it." Case offered a helpful tip for spot-watering or if you don't want to install a watering system. Punch three or four holes in the bottom of a five-gallon bucket, fill it with water and place it near plants that need watering, especially new plants. "It doesn't cost much and you're saving water instead of installing a whole system or sprinkling the whole yard," she said. Some of the plants in the xeriscape at the ERC include gaura, Black-eyed Susans, bearded iris, mountain mint, sedum, asters, wild geraniums, columbine, native crested iris, milkweed, juniper, pink muhly grass, persimmons, hydrangeas and dogwood trees. The mountain mint makes a good ground cover. "It will spread, which is what I want it to do," Case said. "It's a pretty white flower and the butterflies and bees are all over it." And because it smells the deer won't eat it, which is a problem many mountain gardeners have. "They don't like anything that smells – the smell bothers them." The proper plantings in the right location based on light and soil conditions can limit the amount of time you have to spend watering, giving you more time to enjoy your garden. The Macon County Environmental Resource Center is located at 1694 Lakeside Dr., Franklin. The gardens are open to the public on Wednesday and Friday mornings and Master Gardeners are on site to answer questions. Mia Overton can be reached at moverton@thefranklinpress.com

Xeriscaping to conserve water

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