Summer 2009

Summer in Minnesota is a gorgeous time of year - flower blooms, birds singing, vegetables growing, swimming, fishing, camping and everything outdoors. This is a time where our gardens really show off their beauty and take center stage with their colorful blooms. One of the main factors in determining the success of our gardens is water. Last year we were dealing with flooding and replanting and this year we are in drought. I hope this newsletter shares some fresh ideas on how to maintain water on our properties and let our gardens grow to their full potential.

Happy gardening,

- Lindsay Rebhan

Water Harvesting

Already we have had one of the driest springs in Minnesota, we are clearly in drought territory and it hasn't even hit summer yet. The importance of capturing and storing water from our property has become paramount in our current climate. Three simple ways to harvest water on your property include; 1) by storing it in the ground, 2) in a pond and 3) in rain barrels or a cistern. 

Capturing water in the ground is the most natural way to maintain water on your property. The reason that this does not work in so many areas is that the soil has become devoid of nutrients. The way to increase water absorption in your soil is to add compost and organic material (leaves, grass cuttings, pine needles, bark, etc.). It takes time and effort but in the long run you will have less weeds, a higher water table and healthier landscape that stores it's own water the way nature intended. 

Capturing water in ponds is another great way to store water on the landscape.Ponds can be small or large, dug in the ground or a simple container in the garden. You can dunk a watering can into it for easy hand watering or attaching hoses for garden irrigation. It is important for water to not be stagnant and breed mosquitoes, so be sure to put some koi, goldfish or aerate with a pump to keep the water moving. You will be amazed at how quickly birds and other beneficial wildlife will be attracted to your pond.

Capturing water in rain barrels is becoming much more common. Using water captured from your roof to water gardens is a perfect way to decrease our use of chlorinated city water, water bills and pollution caused by stormwater runoff. Using reclaimed barrels this can be an inexpensive project that will be a boon to your landscape. You can also purchase a ready made rain barrel at numerous stores or co-ops in the Twin Cities. The water runs from your roof, through the gutters to your barrel; this water is best used in a drip hose for your lawn or gardens. Rainwater is better for your plants than chlorinated city water and your garden plants will appreciate the fresh water. You will also have a back up water source during these drought days of summer. If you are interested in constructing your own barrel here are some simple instructions.

Photo sources: pond; penick.net/digging; rain barrel; saveearth-savehumanity.blogspot.com

How to Conserve Water on Your Property

The key to water conservation design is to capture the water in as many ways as possible before it leaves your property. 

Observe the landscape and plant accordingly: Take some time to observe how the water moves across your landscape. Where are the wet areas and where are the dry spots? Begin with the highest point of your catchment area and follow the water to the lowest part. Position plants in the areas that suit their optimal conditions. Identify areas where water runs off hardscapes and dig a trench or swale to capture and direct the water to plants where you need it. To allow water to soak into planted areas you can contour the soil into a depression to allow water to pool around gardens. In order to slow the flow of water off your property, add mulch or bark berms that soak up the water and release it slowly. On a slope you can sculpt a series of contour berms that slow the water flow and allow for increased infiltration. For many more ideas check out an excellent and highly recommended resource for water conservation Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond by Brad Lancaster.

Watering: It is best to water in the early morning, between 4am and 8am. Avoid hot and windy parts of the day to water. If you have an automatic timer attachment this makes it easier. Water to saturation, 3 inches or so down. Watering daily creates shallow roots that are more water needy, watering a few times a week develops good root growth. For a newly planted garden, we recommend you water daily for 30 minutes during this drought season, until the garden is more established. Using a drip hose is the best use of water for your gardens. Be aware of how much it has rained by placing a rain gauge in your garden. An established ecological garden should not need regular watering.

Drought tolerant perennials:  Choosing plants that are adapted for our climate and soil is the easiest. Native and drought tolerant plants will need less watering and will establish themselves faster in your garden. Look for plants that have drought tolerant indicators: waxy leaves, that prevent water loss (rosemary); gray leaves, reflect sunlight (russian sage); fuzzy leaves, dense fine hairs prevent water loss (lamb's ears); succulent leaves, act as above ground water storage (stonecrop).  

Mulch: Every garden should be mulched to decrease water evaporation. Mulch keeps out weed seed, protects from soil erosion, adds organic material to the soil but most importantly conserves water. It is recommended to have a minimum of 2-3 inches of mulch on gardens; trees and shrubs can be mulched even deeper. 

Garden Pest Control

Summer time means vegetable gardening, and sometimes we get unwanted visitors to our vegetable gardens. In order to maintain a healthy ecosystem there must be diversity of plants, animals and insects. To balance the ecosystem we cannot obliterate that pesky aphid with dangerous chemicals, it will only throw the balance of the ecosystem off further. So how do we begin to make peace with bugs that are destroying our garden plants?

To begin with, make sure you have interplanted companion herbs and flowers to help attract beneficial insects. Growing pollen and nectar producing plants attract beneficials. Marigolds, calendula, yarrow, coriander, dill, fennel and queen anne's lace are examples of plants to intersperse throughout your gardens. The pollen and nectar gives the beneficial insects strength to eat our unwanted insects. Planting garlic and onions also helps repel pests from the garden. Birds, frogs, toads, lizards, ladybugs, green lacewings, and dragonflies are our greatest garden allies, they feed on many of the pest insects that eat our garden plants. They, like us, enjoy water so make sure to have various water bowls or bird baths out in the garden.  

If you do end up having a pest infestation, try to hand pick the bugs off as much as possible and use a natural spray on the plants. Garlic oil spray is very effective on pests, especially aphids. You can make this spray yourself by soaking chopped cloves of garlic overnight in a water spray bottle (1 clove per 3 cups of water). Hot pepper spray will also deter bugs  (pureeing jalapenos and adding to water overnight). Homemade insecticidal spray can be made with liquid castile soap (5 Tablespoons per gallon). The soap spray should kill the insects but not burn the plant. Sticky tape traps are also quite effective but do not discriminate between beneficial insects and the pests. 

Edible flowers add a special touch to salads. Once the salad has been tossed with dressing, pick off petals from edible flowers and toss them on top. Many flowers have a strong flavor, so use a light hand when adding them to a salad. 

Nasturtium: Available in a scope of colors. Both flowers and leaves add a peppery flavor to mixed greens. 

Calendula: A prolific grower, calendula blossoms grow in abundance. Sprinkle individual petals lightly on a salad.

Herb Flowers: Basil, chives, dill, fennel, and arugula flowers all add a spark of aromatic flavor and a burst of color to salads. 

Viola: Whether wild or cultivated, delicately flavored violas jazz up a bowl of mesclun greens like nothing else.

Borage: Intense blue star shaped flowers add a burst of color that contrasts nicely with greens. The flower's delicate flavor tastes similar to cucumber. Separate the flower from the stem for a softer texture.

Source: Organic Gardening

~Happy Summer~