Episode 119: Waterwise Gardening
Joe visits waterwise gardening expert and author, Nan Sterman
Earth: Sometimes referred to as the ‘water planet’ because 75% of its surface is covered by water. But of all that water, amazingly, only a miniscule 1% is available as pure clean water for use by the entire population of the planet for everything from drinking and bathing to cooking and irrigation.
But as populations increase so does the demand for that finite amount of water. And, approximately 25-40% of our daily use goes to watering our lawns and landscapes. Of that amount almost 50% is wasted, according to the EPA.
Joe, Patti and Nathan reveal dramatic facts and offer suggestions for how we can reduce the amount of water wasted without a significant impact on our lifestyle. However, these seemingly small changes will make a significant impact on the planet.
Nan's garden epitomizes thoughtful drought-tolerant and water wise conservation
Joe visits with California native, Nan Sterman, to see how she manages her garden in order to preserve this precious resource. Gardener extraordinaire, designer, sought after speaker and award winning author, Nan focuses on waterwise approaches to creating beautiful gardens. She is also the host of ‘A Growing Passion’ on television.
Set in her own garden at home, Nan offers thought provoking ideas and suggestions for creating a landscape that is not only beautiful but less water dependent. She discusses the need to understand your climate and search out plants that are adapted to it. It doesn’t matter where you garden the principles are the same; use plants that work.
When Nan does have to water she employs newly designed sprinkler heads that are more efficient and drip irrigation in her vegetable garden. Hydro-zoning and utilizing the ‘canary test’ are two more practices about which she likes to spread the word.
She also discusses an important concept that many of us never relate. Water use is directly tied to energy, and she explains how.
Grasses and native plants combine to create a beautiful rain garden
Next we visit with Eagle Song, staff horticulturalist at the Willows Lodge near Seattle where the rain garden there was carefully designed to lessen the impact of water moving across the surface of the land. The lodge is located next to a river so protecting it is extremely important.
Rain gardens are very effective at mitigating water run-off and through its percolating action purify pollutants and chemicals that have traveled with it. Plants associated with rain gardens are ones that can survive periods of wet and dry soils and can be designed as a beautiful space. The rain garden at the Willows Lodge doubles as a pond.
Popular drought-tolerant plants are herbs such as rosemary, thyme and sage. Growing these in your garden at home also make tasty assets in the kitchen. Today Chef Nathan makes two essential rubs for all the different meats in your life.
For more information
California Gardener’s Guide Volume II
Water-wise Plants for the Southwest
Canary Test, the other meaning
Plant Soup Nan Sterman’s website
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