Did you know that there is less water available in the Okanagan than anywhere else in Canada? Not only do we have less water, the Okanagan has one of the highest rates of water use per person in the nation! With the arrival of another deliciously warm Okanagan August, many of us are searching for ways to decrease water usage. Because 24% of all domestic water we use is on household lawns and gardens, xeriscaping is one solution to our water challenges.
For some, xeriscaping may be an uninviting word, reminiscent of an ugly, brown cactus surrounded by a grey, drab rock garden. Fortunately, xeriscaping is not about dry, rocky landscapes. Despite being a garden design focused on working with the natural environment, xeriscaping can be luscious and beautiful.
With Okanagan WaterWise's annual Okanagan-wide Make Water Work Challenge, it's time for us to step up our game and conserve some water. Visit their website for water-saving tips and learn how to make your yard and garden drought resistant for the chance to win a $6,000 WaterWise yard upgrade.
Many Okanagan yards are composed of traditional grass, exposed sandy beds and water dependent plants.
Traditional turf can be a thirsty, labour intensive and chemically addicted plant.
Flower beds that are uncovered and exposed to the harsh, dry Okanagan climate can lose up to 70% of water from evaporation, leading to excessive and unnecessary watering. Many of the plants we choose are not equipped to deal with our hot climate either. An average rose bush requires 1.5 inches of water 2 - 3 times a week. During Kelowna’s July and August months, this can increase to once a day. There are low-water varieties, however.
Xeriscaping doesn't mean you can't have grass! In fact, one of the seven principles is "practical turf areas." Just consider how much turf you actually need.
Gardeners who do want some turf can opt for Eco-Turf. This grass species is designed to be drought tolerant and environmentally friendly. The turf is also very soft and kind to the eyes! The product comes as a ready-to-roll turf or seed. Looking for an easy drought-tolerant turf solution? Simply overseed your existing lawn. The low-water turf will soon replace your thirsty grass variety, requiring less water and - because it grows more slowly - less mowing.
Turning to flower beds, there are hundreds of drought-tolerant, beautiful flowers and shrubs to choose from, including low-water trees and hedging. Make Water Work provides a comprehensive list of low-water grasses, perennials, shrubs and trees.
Finally, adding a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch to your flower beds not only helps to retain moisture and conserve water, it will also help feed your plants and minimise weeds.This is an easy WaterWise fix that can be done at any time in the summer!
The best time to plant is in fall or spring, but now is a great time to look at other low-water gardens and plan for yours. This weekend, why not get out with the family and design a low-water xeriscaped garden more suitable to our dry Okanagan climate? Maybe decide on a colour scheme or have each person pick their favourite low water plant to include. Not only will gardening be a fun and rewarding activity for the family, it will also be a sustainable and beautiful sight you can be proud to come home to.
Join other Okanagan residents from around the valley and pledge to Make Water Work this summer. Not only will you be entered to win WaterWise prizes, including the Grand Prize of a $6,000 yard upgrade, you'll be helping your hometown in the annual Okanagan-wide Make Water Work competition. Okanagan mayors have challenged their residents to make a pledge to 'Make Water Work'. The community with the most pledges wins the title of 'Make Water Work Champions'. And, while bragging rights - proudly claimed by the Town of Oliver in 2014 and the City of Armstrong in 2015 - is great, ultimately, saving water is a win for all!
Make Water Work is an initiative of the Okanagan Basin Water Board's Okanagan WaterWise program, developed and delivered in partnership with local governments and water utilities throughout the valley. The intent of the campaign is to encourage water conservation in the Okanagan, known as Canada's most water-stressed region.
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