They always say “April showers bring May flowers”. However, they weren’t talking about the year after El Nino. El Nino brought an active southern jet and a massive amount of rainfall to the west coast. This left us with a very wet February and march this year, leading us into spring. Here are a few tips for residents to keep their garden and yard flourishing through some of the wetter months of the year and saving money while doing it!
Dial back on the Irrigation
This year, there is no need for residents to overwater the lawn. Homeowners can save money and let mother nature do the work for free by allowing the heavy rain to do the watering for them. Homeowners should keep in mind it is still a good idea to have irrigation flushed to keep the lines in working condition and should check with their irrigation specialist for flushing and regular maintenance.
Consider Watering times
Try not to water between the times of 10am-6pm. Watering early in the morning or later in the evening allows the water to soak into the soil before evaporation can take place. During drought times, this rule is often followed by local municipalities to promote conservation of water. Following this rule can benefit the community year round.
Catching Rainwater
Harvesting rainwater is a fantastic way to conserve water usage. Large box stores offer rain barrels of many shapes and sizes to fit individual home needs. Rain barrels are relatively simple to install outdoors around the home and can be used in place of a garden hose to water plants. Keep in mind that rain water often has minerals and nutrients for plants that our cleaned and filtered drinking water does not.
Seeding the Lawn
It is recommended that the lawn is seeded early to mid-spring for best results and growth in the Houston area. Results may vary based on the species of grass planted, however all typically call for planting between Spring and Summer months.
Seeding the Garden
Follow the recommended seeding instructions on the back of seed packets for “Zone 9” of the Planting Hardiness Zone. Always plant seeds in a seed starter unless otherwise indicated for best results.
Types of Plants
Consider planting Texas native plants that are endemic to the local area. There are many beautiful plant species that are Texas natives, that will last many years to come due to their resilience to the environment they have survived in. Plants such as Black Eyed Susan, Eastern Purple Coneflower, and Esperanza are just a few of many of the natural flowering plants that could brighten and color your garden this year. Plants that do well in Texas summers are also known for being draught resistant, thus needing less water in the summer. These plants are hardy and ideal for the versatile conditions of Houston weather.
These are just a few of the fantastic ways to ways to conserve water, save money, and continue to have a beautiful garden while taking advantage of the great amount of rainfall we will have this spring. By each of us doing our part and installing rain barrels, dialing back on irrigation, and seeding our lawn and gardens at the proper times with the right kinds of plants, we can all do our part in conserving water year round.