2. Use mulch.

Planting thickly and using mulches helps shade the soil and keep available

moisture from evaporating. Chipped bark, straw, grass clippings, cocoa

hulls and compost are all effective as mulch. However, when using bark

or anything else that does not break down readily, be sure to apply no

more than an inch or it may keep water from percolating down to the soil

where it's needed. Mulches made from organic materials add valuable nutrients

to the soil as they degrade.

3. Plant appropriately.

Consider planting varieties that are drought resistant and appropriate

to your geographic area and climate. In addition, cluster plants that

have similar moisture needs. For example, many herbs, plants with hairy

or gray leaves, and sun-loving perennials such as coreopsis and yarrow

do better in a sunny, fairly dry bed. Keep moisture-loving plants like

roses and classic perennials such as delphiniums and peonies together

in a bed that can be watered more frequently.

4. Minimize

wind. Wind can suck moisture out of soil and plant leaves faster than

the blazing sun. Plant or set up wind breaks that allow the sun in, but

shield plants from strong winds in exposed garden areas.

5. Measure

moisture. Before turning on the sprinkler, determine how much water your

plants really need. Especially if you've been following the advice above,

you might be surprised how much moisture your beds retain, even when it

hasn't rained for a week or more. Dig down into the top 12 inches of soil

and make sure it's dry before you water. If you do water with a sprinkler,

put a bucket out to measure how much water is falling onto the ground.

Water in the morning so plants have the resources they need to face the

noontime sun. Watering in the morning also helps reduce fungus and disease

problems, because the foliage has a chance to dry before nightfall.

The following

tips will also help you conserve water:

1. Water infrequently

but deeply. Roots grow where the moisture is. If you only water the top

couple of inches of soil, that's where the roots will stay. If you water

deeply, they'll extend their reach and be more able to withstand occasional

dry spells in the future. Be sure to water long enough for moisture to

reach at least a foot into the soil.

2. Put the

water where it's needed. Plants take up water with their roots, so this

is where the water should go. Build small dams around the base of your

vegetable plants to act as catch basins, and direct the hose or watering

can onto the ground, not over the top of your plants. Apply water slowly

so it soaks into the soil, rather than rushing away over the top.

3. Choose a

water-wise sprinkler for watering. Sprinklers can waste a lot of water

through evaporation and by scattering moisture to areas that may not need

it. There are a variety of water-wise sprinklers available, but also consider

using soaker hoses for beds and water spikes for individual plants.

4. Weed, wait,

cultivate. Reduce competition for water resources by keeping your garden

well-weeded. Wait until plants show signs of distress, such as limp leaves,

before watering; most plants will quickly recover. Break up compacted

soil so water will absorb into it rather than run off.

Following even

some of these good watering practices can reduce water consumption and

time consumption by as much as 50 percent. This savings is particularly

important when hot weather arrives and many communities begin implementing

water bans.

Here are some

other products from Gardener's Supply that can help keep your garden green

while conserving water. To get water directly to the roots, use Gardener's

Supply's Aqua Cones. They provide an economical method to get moisture

directly where and when it's needed. Recycled plastic soda bottles hold

the water and the flow can be adjusted for any type of soil. They're also

useful for plants such as roses that are prone to mildew or black spot

if the leaves get wet. Aqua Cones cost $12.50 for six or $20 for 12.

WaterWells

are a new product from Australia where professional landscapers plant

trees in large wells to ensure that nutrients and water get to the roots

without running off. WaterWells give your plants the same benefit without

all the digging. They hold water, fertilizer and mulch to prevent wasteful

runoff, keep out weeds, and protect trees from the string trimmer. They

"unzip" for use on both new and established plantings. Made

of recycled plastic, they are excellent for slopes and poor soils. Water

Wells cost $19.95 for a set of three and measure 19 inches in diameter

and 7 1/2 inches high.

Self-watering

patio gardens, window boxes and hanging planters use water effectively

A built-in reservoir holds up to four gallons of water and fertilizer

so plants get all the moisture and food they need, easily and consistently.

Self-watering patio and hanging garden containers range in size and style

and cost from $14.95 to $59.95.

The Noodlehead

sprinkler has 12 individual nozzles that can be positioned independently

to direct water precisely where it's needed up to 15 feet away. It's especially

effective for watering irregular beds, and in windy areas since the nozzles

can be positioned to aim low, directly onto the soil. The Noodlehead sprinkler

is 3 1/4 inches in diameter and costs $19.95.

Gardener's

Supply has offered the Hydro-Grow soaker hose system since 1984, and its

easy, efficient performance has made it a customer favorite. A new mini

soaker hose is perfect for perennial beds. It's available in 50 and 100-foot

lengths and comes with end caps and hose fittings. The mini soaker hose

is less bulky and perfect for weaving through raised beds or perennial

gardens.

Soaker hoses

work most effectively on relatively level ground, for runs up to 100 feet.

If lack of rainfall is a problem in your area, or if you are often on

water rationing, a soaker hose is a great solution. The Hydro-Grow hose

costs $19.95 for 50 feet or costs $37.95 for 100 feet. The mini soaker

hose costs $11.95 for 25 feet.

Commercial

landscapers rely on Terra-Sorb to protect plants in heat-stressed, drought-prone

areas like city parks and traffic medians. This nontoxic gel absorbs up

to 200 times its weight in water, and then releases it gradually as plants

need it. And because Terra Sorb is potassium-based instead of sodium-based,

it breaks down into fertilizer instead of soil-damaging salts. This environmentally-friendly

mix is offered exclusively by Gardener's Supply. Terra-Sorb costs $10.95

for a one-pound jar and $39.95 for a five-pound jar. One pound would cover

100 square feet in the garden, and one teaspoon is needed per gallon of

soil in containers.

To ensure that

you make use of all the rainwater that comes your way, a Rain Saver water

barrel can collect rain and roof run off. It's a heavy duty, 50-gallon,

recycled plastic barrel that has an angled, locking lid to catch every

raindrop while keeping out critters and kids. The Rain-Saver water barrel

costs $59.99, and the deluxe rain barrel costs $125 or $225 for two barrels

and a linking kit.

Visit the Gardening

Info section at www.gardeners.com for more information on water-wise

gardening, or call (800) 955-3370 for a free water-wise bulletin and catalog.

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