Page 8 November 1977 RAIN Drought-Tolerant Gardens Native plants, like the Manzanita, conserve water. Here we are again learning from nature what our place i,s on earth. During the drought it has become apparent to the Western population that we are living out uf tune with the environment. Most of California has a Mediterranean climate where water annually becomes a precious element to plant and animal life. We have not always been so frivolous with our landscape as we are today. Early Spanish settlers, who came from a climate similar to California's, had a sense of what would survive-they brought fig, olive and citrus. But with Eastern wealth came the means and desire to recreate the English-style landscape of green lawns and exotic plants. Many familiar plants were imported · from high rainfall areas such as tropical South America or Eastern Europe. Now we find ourselves, dependent on modern technology, searching for ways to save existing vegetation. Change can begin with setting new priorities for the use of water, creating a landscape ethic, and educating people about gardening in a Western climate. The Office of Appropriate Technology, in cooperation with the California Department of Water Resources, is working to bring about some of these changes. A prototype of water and energy conserving landscaping has been created in downtown Sacramento. This drought-tolerant demonstration garden shows what can be done around an urban home, apartment or condominium. Planting areas include a rock garden, flower bed, shrubs, trees, vegetable garden, orchard, ground covers and native plants, all of which show that drought-tolerant landscapes can be attractive, colorful and productive. Vegetable gardens and orchards do not have to be abandoned in a drought year: we show methods of managing home food production which allows control over the amount of water consumed. Plant spacing and selection, the proper use of fertilizers, biological pest control, mulching, as well as innovative water use techniques such as drip irrigation systems, are an integral part of the program. At the site, a gazebo-a symbolic house- serves as the information center, rest area and protection from weather. Brochures tell about the use of household greywater on plants, composting and tips for saving water in the landscape. A resomce bibliography and a plant list are available, as well. Next to individual plants are signs which tell their size, exposure, flower color or use. Our intention in constructing the garden was to use locality available, inexpensive materials, and work on a simple yet ecologically sound scale. This way the results can be easily adopted by visitors to their own gardens. By hand cultivating the planting areas, we became intimately familiar with soil characteristics at the site and were able to prepare the soil as needed . Compost piles are helping to replenish the soil with nutrients while increasing the water holding capacity of the soil. Keeping the watershed within the site is important, so all ground construction materials used are permeable (such as the pathways of decomposed granite and wood chips from city tree prunings). Fall or ea.rly spring planting gives the plants a chance for good root growth with the help of seasonal rains and moderate temperatures. Some of the plants wµich have been quite successful are the ·annually flowering cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), California poppy (Eschschlozia californica) and purple flowered nierembergia (Nierembergia hippomanica caerulea). Ground covers include prostrate germander ( Teucrium chamaedrys 'Prostratum '), which forms a dark green carpet with lavender flowers, and the silver-leaved blue fescue (Festuca glauca). There is a hedge of Italian buckthorn (Rhamnus alternus), a lawn of Tall Fescue (Alta fescue), and many shrubs such as the aromatic Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha ). . A variety of irrigation systems are incorporated in the garden to meet the needs of specific planting sites. The vegetable garden, orchard and shrub beds are irrigated by a highly efficient drip system which saves up to 40 per- •cent of water used by conventional sprinkler systems. Drip irrigation, along with mulching, can drastically reduce water run-off and evaporation. Because droughts occur in cycles, normal rainfall will return. However, the lessons of the drought should not be forgotten. Enduring changes must come about to ensure the future survival of our cities and environment. Local planning c0mmissions should be encouraged to modify existing landscape policies. They have the ability to influence th~ design of public parks and create ordinances for en~rgy and water conserving private landscapes. Schools and 'nursery associations are always in contact with the public and have a responsibility for continuing education in these areas. -Claire Barrett
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