There's no doubt about it, we Californians are in the middle of quite the drought. To be more specific, we are in the midst of year three of what specialist believe to be a 15 year drought cycle. When we take a step back to look at the history of drought in the western United States, its apparent that droughts of the distant past far exceed even that of the infamous Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Of course, that was long before more than 70 million people called the western states "home." While our current status doesn't technically qualify as a "megadrought," we should be aware of the possible consequences we may face, as well as the opportunities for progress this challenge presents.
The effects of the drought are evident across the board. This drought has led to about 1000 more CA wildfires, some unusual, directly affecting our ecosystems and costing billions of dollars. In San Diego County alone, damage estimates of private property rang in at around $30 million. In the agriculture industry, losses are predicted to the tune of $2.2 billion. Thankfully, many CA cities have imposed usage restrictions to mitigate wasteful water use. Local San Diego restrictions include:
- Watering schedules:
- Summer/Fall: Before 10am and after 6pm
- Winter/Spring: Before 10am and after 4pm
- Washing cars at approved facilities
- NO spraying down sidewalks, driveways, etc. with running water
- Mandatory recirculating pumps for fountains and water features
- and MORE!
For all you gardeners out there, we have a few notes to help you survive the drought! Being that we live in a nation where the iconic and almighty lush green lawn is still king, I dedicate this next paragraph to those of you who cling to the classic aesthetic.
Lawn lovers rejoice, there is a solution! There are plants available that give the appearance and function of a thirsty lawn without the hassle. Kidney Weed (Dichondra micrantha) is a low growing groudcover that spreads easily and performs well in warmer weather. Alternatively, try an eco-lawn mix from Fleur-de-Lawn. To ensure you are watering your lawn properly, consult the Lawn Watering Guide for CA, prepared by the University of CA. This wonderful source walks you through the steps that lead to a happy lawn and healthy water table.
For the shrub and tree lovers like us, choosing the best possible plant for your site conditions is key! Just like the lawn-lovers, overwatering tends to be the first mistake when gardening. Signs of overwatering include:
- Fungus
- Run-off
- Soil Erosion
- Chlorosis (Iron deficiency in soil, causing yellowing and/or loss of foliage)
- and MORE!
If you are starting from scratch, feel free to choose plants with a variety of different water requirements, but be prepared to group plants of similar needs into "hydrozones." Proper grouping will ensure each zone gets the right amount of moisture. When choosing plants that sip water, I like to look to our San Diego natives. Instead of planting trailing Rosemary, try Point Reyes manzanita (Arctostaphylos uva ursi 'Point Reyes'). As a substitution for planting annuals like marigolds, try the versatile perennial yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
Take a look at this list of native alternatives to see how you can make a difference, without saying goodbye to your lush garden.
